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THEUBRARYOFTHE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


ENDOWED  BY  THE 

DIALECTIC  AND  PHILANTHROPIC 

SOCIETIES 


PS1029 

.A3 

T6 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00008078821 


This  book  is  due  at  the  LOUIS  R.  WILSON  LIBRARY  on  the 
last  date  stamped  under  "Date  Due."  If  not  on  hold  it  may  be 
renewed  by  bringing  it  to  the  library. 


DATE 
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RET. 


OCT    1  4  19£8 


AUgZ 


to  i 


arm  No.  513 


it  JUL  2  o 


&m 


^wrr 


DATE 
DUE 


S- 


RET. 


>3w 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hil 


http://www.archive.org/details/tonyheroorbravebOOalge 


Tony  set  to  work  with  rapid  hands  to  tie  cue  prostrate  tramp  hand 
and  t  oou— (See  page  73.)  2 


\ 


TONY,  THE  HERO; 

—OR,—  tfi3 

A  Brave  Boy's  Adventures  With 
a  Tramp. 


By  HORATIO  ALGER,  Jr. 

Author  of 


'Tom,  the  Bootblack;"   "Joe's  Luck;"   "Frank  Fowler,  the  Cash  Boy;' 

"  Tom  Temple's  Career  ;"  "  Tom  Thatcher's  Fortune  ;" 

"  The  Errand  Boy,"  etc.,  etc. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


NEW 

A.  L.  BLURT 


Copyright  1890,  by  A.  L.  Burt. 


TONY,   THE    HERO 


CHAPTEE  I. 

THE   TWO   WANDERERS. 

A  man  and  a  boy  were  ascending  a  steep  street  in 
a  country  town  in  Eastern  New  York.  The  man 
was  tall  and  dark-complexioned,  with  a  sinister  look 
which  of  itself  excited  distrust.  He  wore  a  slouch 
hat,  which,  coming  down  over  his  forehead,  nearly 
concealed  from  view  his  low,  receding  brow.  A 
pair  of  black,  piercing  eyes  looked  out  from  beneath 
the  brim.  The  first  impression  produced  upon  those 
who  met  him  was  that  he  was  of  gipsy  blood,  and 
the  impression  was  a  correct  one.  Where  he  was 
born  no  one  seemed  to  know;  perhaps  he  did  not 
himself  know,  for  all  his  life  he  had  been  a  wan- 
derer, but  English  was  the  tongue  that  he  spoke, 
and,  apart  from  the  gipsy  dialect,  he  knew  no  other. 

His  companion  was  a  boy  of  fourteen.  Be- 
tween the  two  there  was  not  the  slightest  resem- 
blance. Though  embrowned  by  exposure  to  the 
sun  and  the  wind,  it  was  easy  to  see  that  the  boy 
was  originally  of  light  complexion.     His  hair  was 

7 

575Gr?6 


t 


8  TONY,    THE    HERO. 

chestnut  and  his  eyes  blue.  His  features  were  reg- 
ular and  strikingly  handsome,  though,  owing  to  the 
vagrant  life  he  was  compelled  to  lead,  he  was  not 
able  to  pay  that  attention  to  cleanliness  which  he 
might  have  done  if  he  had  had  a  settled  home. 

It  was  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  boy 
looked  wreary.  He  seemed  scarcely  able  to  drag  one 
foot  after  the  other.  His  companion  turned  upon 
him  roughly. 

"What  are  you  dawdling  that  way  for,  Tony?" 
he  demanded.     "You  creep  like  a  boy  of  three." 

"I  can't  help  it,  Kudolph,"  said  the  boy,  wearily; 
"I'm  tired." 

"What  business  have  you  to  be  tired?" 

"I've  walked  far  to-day." 

"  You've  walked  no  farther  than  I.  I  don't  daw- 
dle like  you. " 

' '  You're  a  man.  You're  stronger  than  I  am,  Ku- 
dolph." 

"And  you're  a  milksop,"  said  the  man  contempt- 
uously. 

"I'm  nothing  of  the  sort,"  said  the  boy,  with  a 
flash  of  spirit.  "I'm  not  made  of  cast-iron,  and 
that's  why  I  can't  stand  walking  all  day  long.  Be- 
sides, I  have  had  no  dinner." 

"That  isn't  my  fault,  is  it?" 

"I  didn't  say  it  was,  but  it  makes  me  weak  for 
all  that." 

"Well,"  said  Eudolph,  "  perhaps  you're  right.  I 
feel  like  eating  something  myself.  We'll  go  to  some 
house  and  ask  for  supper." 


THE  TWO  WANDERERS.  9 

Tony  looked  dissatisfied. 

" I  wish  we  were  not  obliged  to  beg  our  meals," 
fie  said;  "  I  don't  like  it." 

"Oh,  you're  getting  proud,  are  you? "  sneered  Ru- 
dolph. "If  you've  got  money  to  pay  for  your  sup- 
per, we  won't  beg,  as  you  call  it." 

"  Why  can't  we  do  as  other  people  do?"  asked 
Tony. 

"What's  that?" 

1 '  Live  somewhere,  and  not  go  tramping  round  the 
country  all  the  time.  It  would  be  a  good  deal  pleas- 
anter." 

"  Not  for  me.  I'm  a  vagrant  by  nature.  I  can't 
be  cooped  up  in  one  place.  I  should  die  of  stagna- 
tion. I  come  of  a  roving  stock.  My  mother  and 
father  before  me  were  rovers,  and  I  follow  in  their 
steps." 

The  man  spoke  with  animation,  his  eye  flashing 
as  he  gazed  about  him,  and  unconsciously  quickened 
his  pace. 

"Then,  I'm  not  like  you,"  said  Tony,  decidedly. 
"  I  don't  want  to  be  a  tramp.  Were  my  father  and 
mother  rovers  like  yours?" 

1 '  Of  course  they  were, "  answered  Rudolph,  but 
not  without  hesitation.     "  Ain't  I  your  uncle?" 

"I  don't  know.  Are  you?"  returned  Tony,  search- 
ingly. 

"Haven't  I  told  3-ou  so  a  hundred  times?"  de- 
manded Rudolph,  impatiently. 

"Yes,"  said  the  boy,  slowly,  "  but  there's  no  like- 
ness between  us.     You're  dark  and  I  am  light." 


10  TONY,   THE    HE&O. 

"That  proves  nothing,"  said  the  elder  tramp, 
hastily.  "Brothers  are  often  as  unlike.  Perhaps 
you  don't  want  to  look  upon  me  as  a  relation?" 

The  boy  was  silent. 

"Are  you  getting  ashamed  of  me?"  demanded  Ru- 
dolph, in  a  harsh  tone. 

"I  am  ashamed  of  myself,"  said  Tony,  bitterly. 
"  I'm  nothing  but  a  tramp,  begging  my  bread  from 
door  to  door,  sleeping  in  barns,  outhouses,  in  the 
fields,  anywhere  I  can.  I'm  as  ignorant  as  a  boy  of 
eight.     I  can  just  read  and  that's  all." 

"You  know  as  much  I  do." 

"  That  don't  satisfy  me.  When  I  grow  up  I  don't 
want  to  be " 

Tony  hesitated. 

"  You  don't  want  to  be  like  me.  Is  that  it?"  asked 
Rudolph,  angrily. 

"No,  I  don't  want  to  be  like  you,"  answered 
Tony,  boldly.  "I  want  to  have  a  home,  and  a  busi- 
ness, and  to  live  like  other  people." 

"Humph!"  muttered  Rudolph,  fixing  his  eyes 
thoughtfully  upon  his  young  companion.  "  This  is 
something  new.  You  never  talked  like  that  be- 
fore." 

"But  I've  felt  like  that  plenty  of  times.  I'm 
tired  of  being  a  tramp." 

"  Then  you're  a  fool.  There's  no  life  so  free  and 
independent.  You  can  go  where  you  please,  with 
no  one  to  order  you  here  nor  there,  the  scene  chang- 
ing always,  instead  of  being  obliged  to  look  always 
upon  the  same  people  and  the  same  fields." 


THE   TWO   WANDERERS.  11 

"  What's  the  good  of  it  all?  I'm  tired  of  it.  I've 
got  no  home,  and  never  had  any.*" 

1 '  You've  got  no  spirit.  You're  only  fit  for  a  farm- 
boy  or  an  apprentice. " 

"  I  wish  I  was  either  one." 

"Sit  down  here  if  you  are  tired,"  said  the  man, 
abruptly,  throwing  himself  down  under  a  wide- 
spreading  tree  by  the  roadside. 

Tony  stretched  himself  out  at  a  little  distance, 
and  uttered  a  sign  of  relief  as  he  found  himself 
permitted  to  rest. 

"'Have  you  been  thinking  of  this  long?"  asked 
Rudolph. 

"Of  what?" 

"  Of  not  liking  to  be  a  tramp? " 

"Yes." 

"You  have  not  spoken  of  it  before." 

"I've  been  thinking  of  it  more  lately." 

"How  did  that  come?" 

"I'll  tell  you,"  said  Tony.  "Don't  you  remem- 
ber last  week  when  we  passed  by  a  school  house? 
It  was  recess,  and  the  boys  were  out  at  play.  While 
you  were  away  a  few  minutes,  one  of  the  boys  sat 
down  by  me  and  talked.  He  told  me  what  he  was 
studying,  and  what  he  was  going  to  do  when  he  got 
older,  and  then  he  asked  me  about  myself." 

"  What  did  you  tell  him? " 

"What  did  I  tell  him?"  said  Tony,  bitterly.  "I 
told  him  that  I  was  a  tramp,  and  that  when  I  got 
older  I  should  be  a  tramp  still." 

"Well,"  said  Rudolph,  sharply,  "what  then?" 


i%  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"The  boy  told  me  I  ought  to  get  some  regular 
work  to  do,  and  grow  into  a  respectable  member  of 
society.  He  said  that  his  father  would  help  me,  he 
thought;  and " 

"So  you  want  to  leave  me,  do  you?"  demanded 
Eudolph,  fiercely.  "Is  that  what  you're  coming  to, 
my  chicken? " 

"It  isn't  that  so  much  as  the  life  you  make  me 
lead.     I  want  to  leave  that,  Rudolph." 

"Well,  you  can't  do  it,"  said  the  man,  shortly. 

"Why  not?" 

"  I  say  so,  and  that's  enough." 

Tony  was  silent  for  a  moment.  He  was  not 
greatly  disappointed,  for  he  expected  a  refusal. 
He  changed  the  subject. 

"Eudolph,"  he  said,  "there's  something  else  I 
want  to  ask  you  about." 

"Well?"  * 

"Who  am  I?" 

"Who  are  you?  A  young  fool,"  muttered  the 
tramp,  but  he  appeared  a  little  uneasy  at  the  ques- 
tion. 

"  I  want  to  know  something  about  my  father  and 
mother." 

"Your  mother  was  my  sister.  She  died  soon 
after  you  were  born." 

"And  my  father?" 

"He  was  put  in  jail  for  theft,  and  was  shot  in 
trying  to  make  his  escape.     Does  that  satisfy  you? '' 

"No,  it  doesn't,  and  what's  more,  I  don't  believe 
it,"  said  Tony,  boldly. 


THE   TWO  WANDERERS.  13 

" Look  here/'  said  Rudolph,  sternly.  "I've  had 
enough  of  your  insolence.     Do  you  see  this  strap? '' 

He  produced  a  long  leather  strap,  which  he  drew 
through  his  fingers  menacingly, 

"Yes,  I  see  it." 

"You'll  feel  it  if  you  ain't  careful.  Now  get  up. 
(t's  time  to  be  moving." 


14  TONY,   THE  HERO. 


CHAPTEK  II. 

THE  FARM-HOUSE. 

" Where  are  we  going  to  stop  to-night?"  asked 
Tony  ten  minutes  later. 

"  There,"  answered  Rudolph,  pointing  out  a  farm- 
house, a  little  to  the  left. 

"  Suppose  they  won't  let  us." 

' '  They  will  admit  us  into  their  barn,  at  least,  if 
we  play  our  cards  right.  Listen  to  what  I  say. 
You  are  to  be  my  son." 

"But  I  am  not  your  son." 

"Be  silent!"  said  the  other  tramp,  "and  don't 
you  dare  to  contradict  me.  You  have  been  sick, 
and  are  too  weak  to  go  farther. 

"That  is  a  lie,  Rudolph." 

"  That  doesn't  matter.  If  they  believe  it,  they 
won't  turn  us  away.  Perhaps  they  will  let  you 
sleep  in  the  house." 

"  Away  from  you?" 

"Yes." 

Tony  was  puzzled.  It  seemed  as  if  Rudolph 
wanted  him  to  be  more  comfortably  provided  for 
than  himself,  but  the  boy  knew  him  too  well  not  to 
suspect  that  there  was  some  concealed  motive  for 
this  apparent  kindness. 

"Well,  what  are  you  thinking  about?"  demanded 
Rudolph,  suspiciously,  as  he  observed  the  boy's 
earnest  gaze. 


THE  FARM-HOUSE.  15 

"Why  do  you  want  me  to  sleep  in  the  house?" 
he  asked. 

"I  will  tell  you.  When  ah  the  family  are  asleep, 
I  want  you  to  steal  down  stairs,  open  the  back  door, 
and  let  me  in." 

"What  for?"  asked  the  boy,  startled. 

"  Never  you  mind.     Do  as  I  tell  you! " 

"  But  I  don't  want  to  do  it.  You  never  asked  me 
to  do  that  before." 

"Didn't  I?  Well,  I  had  no  occasion.  I  ask  you 
now;" 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do?  Are  you  going  to 
harm  any  one?" 

"  No.  I'll  tell  you  what  I'm  going  to  do,  but  mind 
you,  if  you  breathe  a  word  to  any  being,  I'll  cut 
your  tongue  out." 

Tony  looked  troubled,  but  not  frightened. 

"Go  on,"  he  said. 

Eudolph  continued  in  a  rapid  tone. 

"I  want  money  to  carry  out  a  plan  of  impor- 
tance. This  farm  belongs  to  a  farmer  who  is  rich, 
and  who  keeps  a  part  of  his  money  in  the  house." 

"How  do  you  know  that?" 

"A  friend  of  mine  stopped  there  last  week,  and 
found  out.  He  put  me  on  the  scent.  The  old  man 
keeps  from  two  to  three  hundred  dollars  in  his  desk. 
I  must  have  that  money." 

"  I  don't  want  to  help  you  in  this,  Eudolph,"  said 
Tony.  I  won't  betray  you,  but  you  mustn't  compel 
me  to  be  a  thief." 

"  I  can't  get  along  without  you,  and  help  me  you 
must." 


16  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"  Suppose  we  fail?" 

'  *'  Then  we  must  take  to  our  legs.  If  we're  caught 
we're  both  in  the  same  box.  I  don't  ask  you  to  take 
any  risk  that  I  don't  run  myself. " 

Tony  was  about  to  remonstrate  further,  but  it  was 
too  late.  They  had  already  reached  the  farm  house, 
and  caught  sight  of  the  owner  standing  under  a  tree 
in  the  front  yard. 

"  Remember!"  hissed  the  older  tramp.  u  Follow 
my  lead,  or  I'll  beat  you  till  you  are  half  dead. 
Good  evening,  sir." 

This  last  was  said  in  a  humble  tone  to  the  farmer, 
who  advanced  to  the  gate. 

"  Good  evening,"  said  the  farmer,  ingeniously. 

He  was  a  man  of  sixty,  roughly  dressed  to  suit  his 
work,  with  grizzled  hair,  a  form  somewhat  bowed, 
and  a  face  seamed  with  wrinkles.  He  had  been  a 
hard  worker,  and  showed  abundant  traces  of  it  in 
his  appearance. 

"We  are  very  tired  and  hungry,  my  boy  and  I," 
whined  Rudolph.  "  We've  traveled  many  miles 
since  morning.  Would  you  kindly  give  us  some 
supper  and  a  night's  lodging?  " 

k '  My  wif ell  give  you  something  to  eat, "  said  the 
old  man.  " Thank  Heaven!  we've  got  enough  for 
ourselves  and  a  bit  for  the  poor  besides.  But  I 
don't  know  about  lodging.  I  don't  like  to  take  in 
strangers  that  I  know  nothing  about." 

" I  don't  blame  you,  sir,"  said  Rudolph,  in  a  tone 
of  affected  humility.  ' '  There's  many  rogues  going 
round  the  country,  I've  heard,  but  I'm  a  poor,  hard- 
working man." 


THE   FARM-HOUSE.  17 

"  Then  why  are  you  not  at  work?" 

"  Times  are  hard,  and  I  can  get  nothing  to  do.  I 
am  in  search  of  work.  I  can  do  almost  anything. 
I'm  a  carpenter  by  trade." 

Eudolph  knew  no  more  of  the  carpenter's  trade 
than  the  man  in  the  moon,  but  that  would  do  as  well 
as  any  other. 

"  Where  are  you  from? " 

"  From  Buffalo,"  he  answered,  with  slight  hesita- 
tion. 

"Is  business  dull  there?" 

"  Nothing  doing." 

"Well,  my  friend,  you  haven't  come  to  the  right 
place.     There's  nothing  but  farming  clone  here." 

"I  don't  know  anything  about  that,"  said  Ru- 
dolph, hastily,  for  he  had  no  disposition  to  be  set  to 
work  in  the  fields. 

"  I  don't  need  any  extra  hands,"  said  the  farmer. 

"  I  am  glad  of  that,"  thought  the  tramp. 

' '  Go  round  to  the  back  door,  and  I  will  speak  to 
my  wife  about  supper,"  said  the  old  man. 

"Come,  Tony,"  said  Eudolph,  motioning  to  take 
tho  boy's  hand,  but  Tony  did  not  see  fit  to  notice  the 
movement,  and  walked  in  silence  by  his  side. 

A  motherly-looking  old  woman  made  her  appear- 
ance at  the  back  door. 

"Come  in,"  she  said.  "Come  right  in,  and  sit 
down  to  the  table.  Abner,  make  room  for  the  poor 
man  and  his  son." 

Abner  was  a  stalwart  youth  of  eighteen,  hard- 
handed  and  muscular.     He  was  the  only  permanent 


18 

"hired  man"  employed  on  the  farm.  In  haying 
time  there  were  others  transiently  employed. 

A  farmer's  table  is  plentiful,  though  homely.  The 
two  tramps  made  an  abundant  meal,  both  doing 
justice  to  the  homely  fare.  The  farmer's  wife 
looked  on  with  hospitable  satisfaction.  She  could 
not  bear  to  have  anybody  hungry  under  her  roof. 

"  You'll  excuse  our  appetite,  ma'am,"  said  Ru- 
dolph, "  but  we've  had  nothing  to  eat  since  break- 
fast." 

1 '  Eat  as  much  as  you  like, "  said  she.  ' l  We  never 
stint  anybody  here.     Is  that  your  son?" 

"  Yes,  ma'am." 

Tony  bent  his  eyes  upon  his  plate,  and  frowned 
slightly.     He  wanted  to  deny  it,  but  did  not  dare. 

"  He  don't  look  a  bit  like  you,"  said  the  woman. 
"He's  light,  and  you're  very  dark." 

"His  mother  was  light,"  said  Rudolph.  "He 
takes  after  her." 

"  How  old  is  he?  " 

"Tony,  tell  the  lady  how  old  you  are." 

"Fourteen." 

"  He  is  well  grown  of  his  age." 

"Yes;  he  will  make  a  good-sized  man.  He's 
been  sick." 

"Has  he?    What  has  been  the  matter? " 

"I  don't  know.  Poor  folks  like  us  can't  call  in  a 
doctor." 

"He  don't  look  sick,"  said  the  farmer's  wife, 
thoughtfully. 

"He's  delicate,  though  he  don't  look  it.  It's 
sleeping  out  in  the  open  air,  I  expect." 


THE   FARM-HOUSE.  19 

"  Do  you  have  to  sleep  out  in  the  open  air? " 

"Yes;  we  can't  afford  to  pay  for  lodgings,  and 
people  won't  take  us  into  their  houses.  I  don't 
mind  myself — I'm  tough— but  Tony  can't  stand  it  as 
well  as  I  can." 

While  this  conversation  was  going  on,  Tony  fixed 
his  eyes  upon  his  plate.  He  was  annoyed  to  have 
such  falsehoods  told  about  him;  but  if  he  should 
utter  a  word  of  objection  he  knew  there  would  be  an 
explosion  of  wrath  on  the  part  of  his  guardian,  and 
he  remained  silent. 

The  farmer's  wife  was  a  simple-minded,  kind- 
hearted  woman,  and  though  Tony  did  not  look  at  all 
delicate,  she  never  thought  of  questioning  the  state- 
ment of  Eudolph.  Indeed  she  was  already  revolving 
in  her  mind  inviting  the  boy  to  sleep  hi  the  house. 
She  was  rather  prejudiced  in  favor  of  Eudolph  by  his 
show  of  parental  solicitude. 

When  supper  was  over,  having  in  the  meantime 
consulted  her  husband,  she  said  to  Eudolph: 

' '  My  husband  says  you  may  sleep  in  the  barn,  if 
you  don't  smoke.  We  can  find  a  bed  for  your  son 
with  Abner.  You  won't  mind  taking  him  into  your 
room?" 

"  He  can  come,"  said  Abner,  good-naturedly. 

So  it  was  arranged.  At  half -past  eight,  for  they 
retired  at  that  early  hour  in  the  farm  house,  Eu- 
dolph left  the  fireside,  and  sought  the  barn.  As  he 
left  the  room  he  looked  suspiciously  at  Tony,  and 
shook  his  head  warningly. 


20  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  HI. 

RUDOLPH'S   DISAPPOINTMENT. 

Abner  slept  in  a  large  room  in  the  attic.  It  had 
been  roughly  partitioned  off,  and  was  not  even  plas- 
tered. The  beams  were  plainly  visible.  Upon  nails 
which  had  been  driven  into  them  hung  Abner's 
limited  wardrobe.  There  were  two  cot-beds  in  the 
room,  as  a  part  of  the  year  the  farmer  employed 
more  than  one  hired  man. 

"You  can  sleep  there,  youngster,"  said  Abner, 
pointing  to  one  of  the  beds.     "  This  is  my  bed." 

"Thank  you,"  said  Tony,  politely. 

"I  s'pose  you've  traveled  round  considerable," 
said  Abner,  with  curiosity. 

"Yes,  a  good  deal." 

"Do  you  like  it?" 

"No;  I'm  tired  of  it." 

"  How  do  you  make  your  livin'? " 

"As  we  can.     We  often  go  hungry." 

"Why  don't  your  father  settle  down  somewhere?  " 

Tony  thought  of  disclaiming  the  relationship  im- 
plied, but  he  reflected  that  Eudolph  would  be  angry, 
and  merely  answered: 

"He  prefers  to  travel  round." 

"  Was  you  ever  in  New  York?"  asked  Abner. 

"Do  you  mean  the  city  of  New  York?    Yes." 

"I'd  like  to  see  it,"  said  Abner,  regarding  Tony 


Rudolph's  disappointment.  21 

with  new  respect.  "I've  heard  a  sight  about  it. 
It's  powerful  big,  isn't  it? " 

"It's  very  large." 

" There's  as  many  as  a  thousand  houses,  isn't 
there?" 

" There's  a  hundred  thousand,  I  should  think," 
answered  Tony. 

"Sho?  you  don't  say  so!"  exclaimed  Abner,  awe- 
struck.    "Pd  like  to  go  there." 

"  Didn't  you  ever  visit  the  city? " 

"No;  I  never  traveled  any.  I  never  was  more'n 
fifteen  miles  from  home.  Dad  wouldn't  let  me. 
When  I'm  a  man,  I'm  bound  to  see  the  world." 

"Ain't  you  a  man  now?"  inquired  Tony,  survey- 
ing his  Herculean  proportions  with  astonishment. 

"  No;  I'm  only  eighteen." 

"'You're  as  big  as  a  man." 

"  Yes,  I'm  pooty  big,"  said  Abner, with  a  compla- 
cent grin.     'k  I  can  do  a  man's  work." 

"  I  should  think  you  might.  I  thought  you  were 
more  than  four  years  older  than  me.     I'm  fourteen. " 

"  I  guess  I  weigh  twice  as  much  as  you." 

"  I'm  not  small  of  my  age,"  said  Tony,  jealously. 

"Maybe  not.  I'm  a  regular  bouncer.  That's 
what  dad  says.  Why,  I'm  half  as  big  again  as  he 
is." 

"Does  he  ever  lick  you? "  asked  Tony,  smiling. 

"I'd  like  to  see  him  try  it,"  said  Abner,  bursting 
into  a  roar  of  laughter.  "  He'd  have  to  get  upon  a 
milkin'  stool.     Does  your  dad  lick  you? " 

"  No,"  answered  Tony,  shortly. 


22  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"  He  looks  as  if  he  might  sometimes.  He's  kinder 
fractious-looking. " 

Tony  did  not  care  to  say  much  on  the  subject  of 
Rudolph.  He  felt  that  it  was  his  policy  to  be  silent. 
If  he  said  anything  he  might  say  too  much,  and  if 
it  got  to  Eudolph's  ears,  the  man's  vindictive  temper 
would  make  it  dangerous  for  him. 

uWe  get  along  pretty  well,"  he  said,  guardedly. 
"  Do  you  get  up  early?" 

' l  Four  o'clock.     You  won't  have  to,  though.  " 

"  What  time  do  you  get  breakfast?" 

"Half -past  five,  after  I've  milked  and  done  the 
chores.  You  must  be  up  by  that  time,  or  you  won't 
get  anything  to  eat." 

"That's  pretty  early,"  thought  Tony.  " I  don't 
see  the  use  of  getting  up  so  early." 

"  I  guess  I'll  go  to  sleep, "  said  Abner.  "  I'm  tuck- 
ered out." 

"Good-night,  then,"  said  Tony. 

"Good-night." 

The  young  giant  turned  over,  closed  his  eyes,  and 
in  five  minutes  was  asleep. 

Tony  did  not  compose  himself  to  sleep  so  readily, 
partly  because  Abner  began  to  snore  in  a  boisterous 
manner,  partly  because  he  felt  disturbed  by  the 
thought  of  the  treachery  which  Eudolph  required 
at  his  hands. 

Tony  was  only  a  tramp,  but  he  had  an  instinct  of 
honor  in  him.  In  the  farm  house  he  had  been 
kindly  treated  and  hospitably  entertained.  He  felt 
that  it  would  be  very  mean  to  steal  down  in  the 


Rudolph's  disappointment.  23 

dead  of  night  and  open  the  door  to  his  companion  in 
order  that  •he  might  rob  the  unsuspecting  farmer  of 
his  money.  On  the  other  hand,  if  he  did  not  do 
this,  he  knew  that  he  would  be  severely  beaten  by 
Eudolph. 

"  Why  am  I  tied  to  this  man?"  he  thought. 
"  What  chance  is  there  of  my  ever  being  anything 
but  a  tramp  while  I  stay  with  him? " 

He  had  thought  this  before  now,  but  the  circum- 
stances in  which  he  now  found  himself  placed  made 
the  feeling  stronger.  He  had  been  often  humiliated 
by  being  forced  to  beg  from  door  to  door,  by  the 
thought  that  he  was  a  vagrant,  and  the  companion 
of  a  vagrant,  but  he  had  not  been  urged  to  actual 
crime  until  now.  He  knew  enough  to  be  aware 
that  he  ran  the  risk  of  arrest  and  imprisonment  if 
he  obeyed  Eudolph.  On  the  other  hand,  if  he  re- 
fused, he  was  sure  of  a  beating. 

What  should  he  do? 

It  was  certainly  a  difficult  question  to  decide,  and 
Tony  debated  it  in  his  own  mind  for  some  time. 
Finally  he  came  to  a  determination.  Rudolph 
might  beat  him,  but  *he  would  not  be  guilty  of  this 
treachery. 

He  felt  better  after  he  had  come  to  this  resolve, 
and  the  burden  being  now  off  his  mind,  he  composed 
himself  to  sleep. 

He  did  not  know  -how  long  he  slept,  but  he  had  a 
troubled  dream.  He  thought  that  in  compliance 
with  his  companion's  order  he  rose  and  opened  the 
door  to  him.     While  Rudolph  was  opening  the  far- 


2i  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

mer's  desk,  he  thought  that  heavy  steps  were  heard, 
and  Abner  and  the  farmer  entered  the  room,  pro- 
vided with  a  lantern.  He  thought  that  Rudolph 
and  himself  were  overpowered  and  bound.  Just  as 
he  reached  this  part  he  awaked,  and  was  reassured 
by  hearing  Abner's  heavy  breathing. 

"  I'm  glad  it's  a  dream,"  he  thought,  breathing  a 
sigh  of  relief . 

At  this  instant  his  attention  was  called  by  a  noise 
upon  the  panes  of  the  only  window  in  the  room. 

He  listened,  and  detected  the  cause. 

Some  one  was  throwing  gravel  stones  against  it. 

"It's  Rudolph!"  he  thought  instantly.  "He's 
trying  to  call  my  attention." 

He  thought  of  pretending  to  be  asleep,  and  taking 
no  notice  of  the  signal.  But  he  feared  Abner  would 
awake,  and  ascertain  the  meaning  of  it.  He  decided 
to  go  to  the  window,  show  himself,  and  stop  the 
noise  if  he  could. 

He  rose  from  his  bed,  and  presented  himself  at 
the  window.  Looking  down,  he  saw  the  dark 
figure  of  Rudolph  leaning  against  the  well-curb, 
with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  window. 

"  Oh,  you're  there  at  last,"  growled  Rudolph.  "  I 
thought  I'd  never  wake  you  up.  Is  the  man  asleep? " 

"Yes,"  said  Tony. 

"  Then  come  down  and  let  me  in." 

"  I  would  rather  not,"  said  Tony,  uneasily. 

"  What's  the  fool  afraid  of  ?  "  answered  Rudolph, 
in  a  low,  menacing  tone. 

"  The  man  might  wake  up." 


Rudolph's  disappointment.  25 

' '  No  danger.  Such  animals  always  sleep  heavily. 
There's  no  danger,  I  tell  you." 

" I  don't  want  to  do  it,"  said  Tony.  "It  would 
be  mean.  They've  treated  me  well,  and  I  don't 
want  to  help  rob  them." 

"  Curse  the  young  idiot!  "  exclaimed  Rudolph,  in 
low  tones  of  concentrated  passion.  "  Do  you  mean 
to  disobey  me? " 

"  I  can't  do  as  you  wish,  Rudolph.  Ask  me  any- 
thing else." 

"  I  wish  I  could  get  at  him!  "  muttered  Rudolph, 
between  his  teeth.  "He  never  dared  to  disobey 
me  before.  Once  more!  Will  you  open  the  door 
to  me? "  demanded  Rudolph. 

Tony  bethought  himself  of  an  expedient.  He 
might  pretend  that  Abner  was  waking  up. 

"Hush!  "  he  said,  in  feigned  alarm.  " The  man 
is  waking  up.     Get  out  of  sight  quick." 

He  disappeared  from  the  window,  and  Rudolph, 
supposing  there  was  really  danger  of  detection, 
hurriedly  stole  away  to  the  barn  where  he  had  been 
permitted  to  lodge. 

He  came  out  half  an  hour  later,  and  again  made 
the  old  signal,  but  this  time  Tony  did  not  show 
himself.  He  had  made  up  his  mind  not  to  comply 
with  the  elder  tramp's  demands,  and  it  would  do  no 
good  to  argue  the  point. 

' i  I  wish  I  knew  whether  he  was  asleep,  or  only 
pretending,  the  young  rascal,"  muttered  Rudolph. 
"I  must  manage  to  have  him  stay  here  another 
night.  That  money  must  and  shall  be  mine,  and 
he  shall  help  to  get  it  for  me." 


TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

SETTING  A  TRAP. 

At  half -past  five  Tony  got  up.  He  would  have 
liked  to  remain  in  bed  two  hours  longer,  but  there 
was  no  chance  for  late  resting  at  the  farm  house. 
Eudolph,  too,  was  awakened  by  Abner,  and  the  two 
tramps  took  their  seats  at  the  breakfast  table  with 
the  rest  of  the  family. 

Eudolph  furtively  scowled  at  Tony.  To  him  he 
attributed  the  failure  of  his  plans  the  night  before, 
and  he  was  furious  against  him — the  more  so  that 
he  did  not  dare  to  say  anything  in  presence  of  the 
farmer's  family . 

"Where  are  you  going  to-day?"  asked  the 
farmer,  addressing  Eudolph. 

"  I  am  going  to  walk  to  Crampcon.  I  may  get 
employment  there." 

"It  is  twelve  miles  away.     That's  a  good  walk." 

"I  don't  mind  it  for  myself.  I  mind  it  for  my 
son,"  said  Eudolph,  hypocritically. 

"He  can  stay  here  till  you  come  back,"  said  the 
farmer,  hospitably. 

"  If  you're  willing  to  have  him,  I  will  leave  him 
for  one  more  night,"  said  Eudolph.  "It'll  do  him 
good  to  rest." 

"  He  can  stay  as  well  as  not,"  said  the  farmer. 
"  When  are  you  coming  back? " 


SETTING  A  TRAP.  21 

"  Perhaps  to-night,  but  I  think  not  till  to-mois 
row. " 

"  Don't  trouble  yourself  about  your  son.  He  will 
be  safe  here." 

"You  are  very  kind,''  said  the  elder  tramp. 
"  Tony,  thank  these  good  people  for  then  kindness 
to  you." 

"I  do  thank  them,"  said  Tony,  glancing  uneasily 
at  the  other. 

When  breakfast  was  over,  Eudolph  took  his  hat, 
and  said: 

"I'll  get  started  early.  I've  a  long  walk  before 
me." 

Tony  sat  still,  hoping  that  he  would  not  be  called 
upon  to  join  him.  But  he  was  destined  to  be  disap- 
pointed. 

"Come  and  walk  a  piece  with  me,  Tony,"  said 
Eudolph. 

Reluctantly  Tony  got  his  hat,  and  set  out  with 
him. 

As  long  as  they  were  in  sight  and  hearing,  Ru- 
dolph spoke  to  him  gently,  but  when  they  were  far 
enough  for  him  to  throw  off  the  mask  safely,  he 
turned  furiously  upon  the  boy. 

"Now,  you  young  rascal/'  he  said,  roughly,  "tell 
me  why  you  didn't  obey  me  last  night." 

"It  wasn't  safe,"  said  Tony.  "We  should  both 
have  been  caught." 

"  Why  should  we?    Wasn't  the  man  asleep?" 

"He  stirred  in  his  sleep.  If  I  had  moved  abouf 
much,  or  opened  the  door,  it  would  have  waked  him 
up." 


28  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

' '  You  are  a  coward, "  sneered  Rudolph.  "  When  I 
was  of  your  age,  I  wouldn't  have  given  up  a  job  so 
easily.  Such  men  sleep  sound.  Xo  matter  if  they 
do  move  about,  they  won't  wake  up.  If  you  had 
had  a  little  more  courage,  we  should  have  succeeded 
last  night  in  capturing  the  money.'' 

"I  wish  you'd  give  it  up,  Eudolph,"  said  Tony, 
earnestly. 

''You  don't  know  what  you're  talking  about," 
said  the  tramp,  harshly.  "You're  a  milksop.  The 
world  owes  us  a  living,  and  we  must  call  for  it." 

"  I'd  rather  work  than  steal." 

'"There's  no  work  to  be  had,  and  we  must  have 
money.  More  depends  on  it  than  you  think.  But 
we've  got  one  more  night  to  work  in." 

"What  do  you  mean  to  do?"  asked  Tony,  un- 
easily. 

"Thanks  to  my  management,  you  will  sleep  in 
the  same  room  to-night.  Look  round  the  house 
during  the  day;  see  if  the  key's  in  the  desk.  If  you 
can  get  hold  of  the  money,  all  the  better.  In  that 
case,  come  and  hide  it  in  that  hollow  tree,  and  we 
can  secure  it  after  the  hue  and  cry  is  over.  Do  you 
hear? " 

"Yes." 

"But,  if  there  is  no  chance  of  that,  look  out  for 
me  at  midnight  I  will  throw  gravel  against  your 
window  as  a  signal.  When  you  hear  it,  steal  down 
stairs,  with  your  shoes  in  your  hands,  and  open 
the  door  to  me.  I  will  attend  to  the  rest.  And 
mind,"  he  added,  sternly,  "I  shall  take  no  ex- 
cuses." 


SETTING  A  TRAP.  29 

"  Suppose  I  am  caught  going  down  stairs? " 

"  Say  you  are  taken  sick.  It  will  be  easy  enough 
to  make  an  excuse." 

"Are  you  going  to  Crampton?"  asked  Tony. 

"  Of  course  not.  Do  you  think  I  am  such  a  fool 
as  to  take  a  long  walk  like  that? " 

"You  said  you  were  going." 

"Only  to  put  them  off  the  scent.  I  shall  hide  in 
yonder  wood  till  night.  Then  I  will  find  my  way 
back  to  the  farmhouse." 

"Do  you  want  me  to  go  any  farther  with  you?" 

"No;  you  can  go  back  now  if  you  want  to. 
Don't  forget  my  directions." 

"  I  will  remember  them,"  said  Tony,  quietly. 

The  two  parted  company,  and  Tony  walked  slowly 
back  to  the  farm.  He  was  troubled  and  perplexed. 
He  was  in  a  dilemma,  and  how  to  get  out  of  it  he 
did  not  know. 

It  was  not  the  first  time  that  he  thought  over  his 
relations  to  Eudolph. 

As  far  back  as  he  could  remember  he  had  been 
under  the  care  of  this  man.  Sometimes  the  latter 
had  been  away  for  months,  leaving  him  in  the 
charge  of  a  woman  whose  appearance  indicated 
that  she  also  was  of  Gipsy  descent.  He  had  experi- 
enced hunger,  cold,  neglect,  but  had  lived  through 
them  all,  tolerably  contented.  Now,  however,  he 
saw  that  Eudolph  intended  to  make  a  criminal  of 
him,  and  he  was  disposed  to  rebel.  That  his  guard- 
ian was  himself  a  thief,  be  had  reason  to  know. 
He  suspected  that  some  of  his  periodical  absences 


30  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

were  spent  in  prison  walls.  Would  he  be  content 
to  follow  his  example? 

Tony  answered  unhesitatingly,  "No."  Whatever 
the  consequences  might  be,  he  would  make  a  stand 
there.  He  had  reason  to  fear  violence,  but  that  was 
better  than  arrest  and  imprisonment.  If  matters 
came  to  the  worst,  he  would  run  away. 

When  he  had  come  to  a  decision  he  felt  better. 
He  returned  to  the  farm  and  found  Abner  just  leav- 
ing the  yard  with  a  hoe  in  his  hand. 

"  Where  are  you  going?"  he  asked. 

"  To  the  corn  field." 

"  May  I  go  with  you? " 

"If  you  want  to." 

So  Tony  went  out  to  the  field  with  the  stalwart 
"hired  man,"  and  kept  him  company  through  the 
forenoon. 

"  That's  easy  work,"  said  Tony,  after  a  while. 

"Do  you  think  you  can  do  it? " 

"Let  me  try." 

Tony  succeeded  tolerably  well,  but  he  could  not 
get  over  the  ground  so  fast  as  Abner. 

"Why  don't  you  hire  out  on  a  farm? "  asked  Ab- 
ner, as  he  took  back  the  hoe. 

"  I  would  if  I  could,"  answered  Tony. 

"  Why  can't  you?    Won't  your  father  let  you? " 

"  He  wants  me  to  go  round  with  him,"  answered 
Tony 

"  Wouldn't  he  take  me  instead  of  you? "  asked  Ab- 
ner, grinning.  I'd  like  to  travel  round  and  see  the 
world.     You  could  stay  here  and  do  farm  work." 


SETTING  A  TRAP.  31 

"If  he  and  the  farmer  agree  to  the  change,  I 
will,"  answered  Tony,  with  a  sniile. 

At  noon  they  went  back  to  the  farm  house  to  din- 
ner. Tony  stared  with  astonishment  at  the  quan- 
tity of  food  Abner  made  away  with.  He  concluded 
that  farm  work  was  favorable  to  the  appetite. 

The  afternoon  passed  rapidly  away,  and  night 
came.  Again  Tony  went  up  into  the  attic  to  share 
Abner  s  room.  He  got  nervous  as  the  night  wore 
on.  He  knew  what  was  expected  of  him,  and  he 
shrank  from  Rudolph's  anger.  He  tried  to  go  to 
sleep,  but  could  not. 

At  last  the  expected  signal  came.  There  was  a 
rattling  of  gravel  stones  upon  the  window. 

"Shall  I  he  here  and  take  no  notice?"  thought 
Tony. 

In  this  case  Rudolph  would  continue  to  fling 
gravel  stones,  and  Abner  might  wake  up.  He  de- 
cided to  go  to  the  window  and  announce  his  deter- 
mination. 

When  Rudolph  saw  him  appear  at  the  window, 
he  called  out : 

"Come  down  quick,  and  open  the  door." 

' '  I  would  rather  not, "  answered  Tony. , 

"  You  must!"  exclaimed  Rudolph,  with  a  terrible 
oath.     "  If  you  dare  to  refuse,  I'll  flay  you  alive." 

"I  cant  do  it,"  said  Tony,  pale  but  resolute. 
"You  have  no  right  to  ask  it  of  me." 

Just  then  Tony  was  startled  by  a  voice  from  the 
bed: 

"  Is  that  your  father?    What  does  he  want?" 


32  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"I  would  rather  not  tell,"  said  Tony. 

"You  must!"  said  Abner,  sternly. 

"  He  wants  me  to  open  the  door  and  let  him  into 
the  house,"  Tony  confessed,  reluctantly. 

"What  for?" 

"He  wants  to  get  your  master's  money." 

"Ho,  ho!"  said  Abner.  "Well,  we'll  go  down 
and  let  him  in. " 

' l  What ! "  exclaimed  Tony,  in  surprise. 

"  Call  from  the  window  that  you  will  be  down  di- 
rectly.  " 

"  I  don't  want  to  get  him  into  trouble." 

"  You  must,  or  I  shall  think  you  are  a  thief,  too." 

Thus  constrained,  Tony  called  out  that  he  would 
come  down  at  once. 

"I  thought  you'd  think  better  of  it,"  muttered 
Eudolph.     ' '  Hurry  down,  and  waste  no  time. " 

Five  minutes  later,  Abner  and  Tony  crept  down 
stairs,  the  former  armed  with  a  tough  oak  stick. 


AN  ATTEMPT  AT  BURGLARY.  33 


CHAPTER  V. 

AN  ATTEMPT  AT   BURGLARY. 

Unsuspicious  of  danger,  Rudolph  took  a  position 
on  the  door-step.  He  was  incensed  with  Tony  for 
having  given  him  so  much  unnecessary  trouble,  and 
he  was  resolved  to  give  the  boy  a  lesson. 

It  was  quite  dark  in  the  shadow  of  the  house,  and 
wiien  the  door  opened,  Rudolph,  supposing,  of 
course,  it  was  Tony  who  had  opened  it,  seized  the 
person,  whom  he  saw  but  dimly,  by  the  arm,  ex- 
claiming venomously,  as  he  tried  to  reach  him : 

"I'll  teach  you  to  keep  me  waiting,  you  young 
rascal." 

He  was  not  long  in  finding  out  his  mistake. 

Abner  was  considerably  larger  and  more  muscu- 
lar than  the  tramp,  and  he  returned  the  compliment 
by  shaking  off  Rudolph's  grasp,  and  seizing  him  in 
his  own  vise-like  grasp . 

"  You'll  teach  me,  will  you,  you  villain,"  retorted 
Abner.       "  I'll  teach  you  to  come  here  like  a  thief." 

"  Let  go,"  exclaimed  the  tramp,  as  he  felt  him- 
self shaken  roughly . 

"Not  till  I've  given  you  a  good  drubbing,"  re- 
turned Abner,  and  he  began  to  use  his  cudgel  with 
effect  on  the  back  and  shoulders  of  the  tramp. 
"You've  come  to  the  wrong  house,  you  have." 

Rudolph  ground  his  teeth  with  ineffectual  rage. 


34  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

He  lamented  that  he  had  not  a  knife  or  pistol  with 
him,  but  he  had  made  so  sure  of  easy  entrance  into 
the  house,  and  no  resistance,  that  he  had  not  pre- 
pared himself.  As  to  brute  force,  he  was  no  match 
for  Abner. 

"  The  boy  betrayed  me!  "  he  shrieked.  "  I'll  have 
his  life." 

"  Not  much,"  said  Abner.  "  You'll  be  lucky  to 
get  away  with  your  own.  It  isn't  the  boy.  I  was 
awake,  and  heard  you  ask  him  to  let  you  in.  Now 
take  yourself  off." 

As  he  said  this  he  gave  a  powerful  push,  and  Ru- 
dolph reeled  a  moment  and  sank  upon  the  ground, 
striking  his  head  with  violence. 

"He  won't  try  it  again,"  said  Abner,  as  he  shut 
to  the  door  and  bolted  it.  "I  guess  he's  got  enough 
for  once." 

Tony  stood  by,  ashamed  and  mortified.  He  was 
afraidAbner  would  class  him  with  the  tramp  who  had 
just  been  ignominiously  expelled  from  the  house. 
He  was  afraid  he,  too,  would  be  thrust  out  of  doors, 
in  which  case  he  would  be  exposed  to  brutal  treat- 
ment from  Eudoiph.  But  he  did  not  need  to  fear 
this.  Abner  had  seen  and  heard  enough  to  feel  con- 
vinced that  Tony  was  all  right  in  the  matter,  and 
he  did  not  mean  to  make  the  innocent  suffer  for  the 
guilty. 

"  Now  let  us  go  to  bed,  Tony, "he said  in  a  friend- 
ly manner.  "You  don't  want  to  go  with  him,  do 
you*" 

"No,"  said  Tony.  "I  never  want  to  see  him 
again," 


AN  ATTEMPT   AT  BURGLARY.  35 

"I  shouldn't  think  you  would.  He's  a  rascal  and 
a  thief." 

"I  hope  you  don't  think  I  wanted  to  rob  the 
house,"  said  Tony. 

"No; I  don't  believe  you're  a  bit  like  him;  what 
makes  you  go  with  him? " 

"I  won't  any  more." 

u  He  isn't  your  father?  " 

"  No;  I  don't  know  who  my  father  is." 

"  That's  strange,"  said  Abner,  who  had  seen  but 
little  of  the  world.  Every  one  that  he  knew  had  a 
a  father,  and  knew  who  that  father  was.  He  could 
not  realize  that  any  one  could  have  an  experience 
like  Tony's. 

"I  wish  I  did  know  my  father,"  said  Tony, 
thoughtfully.     "  I'm  alone  in  the  world  now." 

"  What  do  you  mean  to  do?" 

"I'll  go  off  by  myself  to-morrow,  away  from 
Rudolph.     I  never  want  to  see  him  again." 

i '  Have  you  got  any  money?" 

They  had  now  got  back  into  the  chamber,  and 
were  taking  off  their  clothes. 

''I've  got  five  cents,"  answered  Tony. 

"  Is  that  all?" 

"Yes;  but  I  don't  mind;  I'll  get  along  some- 
how." 

Tony  had  always  got  along  somehow.  He  had 
never — at  least  not  for  long  at  a  time— known  what 
it  was  to  have  a  settled  home  or  a  permanent  shel- 
ter. Whether  the  world  owed  him  a  living  or  not, 
he  had  always  got  one,  such  as  it  was,  and  though 


36  TONY     THE   HERO. 

he  had  often  been  cold  and  hungry,  here  he  was  at 
fourteen;  well  and  strong,  and  with  plenty  of  pluck 
and  courage  to  carry  with  him  into  the  lif e  struggle 
that  was  opening  before  him.  Abner's  training 
had  been  different,  and  he  wondered  at  the  coolness 
with  which  Tony  contemplated  the  future.  But  he 
was  too  sleepy  to  wonder  long  at  anything,  and 
with  a  yawn  he  lapsed  into  slumber. 

Tony  did  not  go  to  sleep  immediately.  He  had 
need  to  be  thoughtful.  He  had  made  up  his  mind 
to  be  his  own  master  henceforth,  but  Euclolph,  he 
knew,  would  have  a  word  to  say  on  that  point.  In 
getting  away  the  next  morning  he  must  manage  to 
give  the  tramp  a  wide  berth.  It  would  be  better 
for  him  to  go  to  some  distant  place,  where,  free 
from  interference,  he   could  make  his  own  living. 

There  was  another  thought  that  came  to  him. 
Somewhere  in  the  world  he  might  come  across  a 
father  or  mother,  or  more  distant  relative — one  of 
whom  he  would  not  be  ashamed,  as  he  was  of  the 
companion  who  tried  to  draw  him  into  crime.  This 
was  the  last  thought  in  his  mind,  as  he  sank  into  a 
sound  sleep  from  which  he  did  not  awaken  tiU  he 
was  called  to  breakfast. 


abner's  rusk  37 


CHAPTER  VI. 
abner's    ruse. 

To  say  that  Rudolph  was  angry  when  he  recovered 
from  the  temporary  insensibility  occasioned  by  hie 
fall,  would  be  a  very  mild  expression.  He  had  not 
only  been  thwarted  in  his  designs,  but  suffered  vio- 
lence and  humiliation  in  presence  of  the  boy  of 
whom  he  regarded  himself  as  the  guardian.  He 
thirsted  for  revenge,  if  not  on  Abner,  then  on  Tony, 
whom  it  would  be  safer  to  maltreat  and  abuse. 

Anger  is  unreasonable,  and  poor  Tony  would  have 
fared  badly,  if  he  had  fallen  into  Rudolph's  clutches 
just  then.  It  made  no  difference  that  Abner  had 
exonerated  Tony  from  any  share  in  the  unpleasant 
surprise  he  had  met.  He  determined  to  give  him  a 
severe  beating,  nevertheless. 

There  is  an  old  proverb:  "You  must  catch  your 
hare  before  you  cook  it.'?  This  did  not  occur  to  the 
tramp.  He  never  supposed  Tony  would  have  the 
hardihood  or  courage  to  give  him  the  slip. 

The  remainder  of  the  night  spent  by  Tony  in 
sleeping  was  less  pleasantly  spent  by  Rudolph  in  the 
barn. 

He  meant  to  be  up  early,  as  he  knew  he  was  lia- 
ble to  arrest  on  account  of  his  last  nights  attempt, 
and  lie  in  wait  for  Tony,  who,  he  supposed,  would 
wait  for  breakfast. 


38  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

He  was  right  there.  Tony  did  remain  for  break- 
fast. The  farmer — Mr.  Coleman — had  already  been 
informed  of  Eudolph's  attempted  burglary,  and  he 
did  Tony  the  justice  to  exonerate  him  from  any 
share  in  it. 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do,  my  bo}r?  "  he  asked 
at  the  breakfast  table. 

"I  am  going  to  set  up  for  myself,"  answered 
Tony,  cheerfully. 

' '  That's  right.  Have  nothing  more  to  do  with 
that  man.  He  can  only  do  you  harm.  Have  you 
got  any  money? " 

"I've  got  five  cents." 

"  That  isn't  enough  to  buy  a  farm." 

"  Not  a  very  large  one,"  said  Tony,  smiling. 

Abner  nearly  choked  with  laughter.  This  was  a 
joke  which  he  could  appreciate. 

"I  don't  think  I'll  go  to  farming,"  continued 
Tony. 

"You  can  stay  here  a  week  or  two,"  said  the 
farmer,  hospitably,  "till  you  get  time  to  look 
round." 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Tony.  "  You  are  very  kind, 
but  I  don't  think  it  will  be  safe.  Eudolph  will  be  on 
the  watch  for  me." 

"The  man  you  came  with? " 

"Yes." 

"Guess  he  won't  touch  you  while  I'm  round," 
&iid  Abner. 

'k  I  don't  think  hell  want  to  tackle  you  again," 
said  Tony. 


abner's  ruse.  39 

"  Didn't  I  lay  him  out  though?  "  said  Abner,  with 
a  grin,     "  He  thought  it  was  you,  ho!  ho! " 

"  He  didn't  think  so  long,"  said  Tony.  I  haven't 
got  such  an  arm  as  you . " 

Abner  was  pleased  with  this  compliment  to  Ins 
prowess,  and  wouldn't  have  minded  another  tussle 
with  the  tramp. 

"Where  do  you  think  that  chap  you  call  Eudolph 
is?"  he  asked. 

"He's  searching  for  me,  I  expect,"  said  Tony. 
"  If  I'm  not  careful  he'll  get  hold  of  me." 

Just  then  a  neighbor's  boy,  named  Joe,  came  to 
the  house  on  an  errand.  He  w-as  almost  Tony's 
size.  He  waited  about,  not  seeming  in  any  hurry 
to  be  gone. 

"  Abner,"  said  the  farmer,  "if  you've  got  noth- 
ing else  to  do,  you  may  load  up  the  wagon  with 
hay,  and  carry  it  to  Castleton.  We  shall  have  more 
than  we  want." 

' '  All  right, "  said  Abner. 

"May  I  go,  too?"  May  I  ride  on  the  hay?" 
asked  Joe,  eagerly. 

"  Will  your  father  let  you? "  asked  the  farmer. 

"Oh,  yes;  he  won't  mind." 

"Then  you  may  go,"  was  the  reply.  "'Do  you 
want  to  go,  too,  Tonyr<  " 

Tony  was  about  to  say  yes,  when  an  idea  seized 
him. 

"  If  the  other  boy  goes,  Eudolph  will  think  it  is  I, 
and  he  will  follow  the  wagon.  That  wrill  give  me  a 
chance  of  getting  off  in  another  direction.'' 


40 

"  So  it  will,"  said  Abner.  "What  a  head-piece 
you've  got,"  he  added,  admiringly.  "I  wouldn't 
have  thought  of  that." 

Abner's  head-piece  was  nothing  to  boast  of.  He 
had  strength  of  body,  but  to  equalize  matters  his 
mind  was  not  equally  endowed. 

The  plan  was  disclosed  to  Joe,  who  willingly 
agreed  to  enter  into  it.  This  was  the  more  feasible 
because  he  was  of  about  Tony's  size,  and  wore  a  hat 
just  like  his. 

The  hay  was  loaded,  and  the  wagon  started  off 
with  Abner  walking  alongside.  Joe  was  perched 
on  top,  nearly  buried  in  the  hay,  but  with  his  hat 
rising  from  the  mass.  This  was  about  all  that 
could  be  seen  of  him. 

Thev  had  gone  about  half  a  mile  when  from  the 
bushes  by  the  roadside  Rudolph  emerged.  He  had 
seen  the  hat,  and  felt  sure  that  Tony  was  trying  to 
escape  him  in  this  way. 

"  Well,"  said  Abner,  with  a  grin,  as  he  recognized 
his  midnight  foe,  "  how  do  you  feel  this  morning?" 

"  Isone  the  better  for  you,  curse  you!  "  returned 
the  tramp,  roughly. 

Abner  laughed. 

"That's  what  I  thought,"  he  said,  cracking  his 
whip. 

Rudolph  would  like  to  have  punished  him  then 
and  there  for  his  humiliation  of  the  night  before, 
but  Abner  looked  too  powerful  as  he  strode  along 
manfully  with  vigorous  steps.  Besides,  he  had  a 
heavy  whip  in  his  hand,  which  the  tramp  suspected 


ABNER's  RUSE.  41 

would  be  used  unhesitatingly  if  there  were  occasion. 
The  prospect  was  not  inviting.  But,  at  any  rate, 
Eudolph  could  demand  that  Tony  be  remitted  to  his 
custody. 

"  Where's  my  boy?  "  asked  the  tramp,  keeping  at 
a  safe  distance. 

"  Didn't  know  you  had  a  bo}^,"  said  Abner. 

"  I  mean  that  villain  Tony.  Is  that  he  on  the 
load  of  hay? " 

"  Kinder  looks  like  him,"  answered  Abner,  grin- 
ning. 

Rudolph  looked  up  and  caught  sight  of  the  hat. 

"  Come  down  here,  Tony,"  he  said  sternly. 

Joe,  who  had  been  instructed  what  to  do,  an- 
swered not  a  word. 

"  Come  down  here,  if  you  know  what's  best  for 
you,"  continued  the  tramp. 

"  Guess  he's  hard  of  hearing,"  laughed  Abner. 

"Stop  your  wagon,"  said  Rudolph,  furiously;  "I 
want  to  get  hold  of  him." 

"Couldn't  do  it,"  said  Abner,  coolly.  "I'm  in  a 
hurry." 

"Will  you  give  me  the  boy  or  not?"  demanded 
the  tramp,  hoarsely. 

"He  can  get  off  and  go  along  with  you  if  he 
wants  to,"  said  Abner.  "  Do  you  want  to  get  down, 
Tony?" 

"No!"  answered  the  supposed  Tony. 

"You  see,  squire,  he  prefers  to  ride,"  said  Abner. 
"  Can't  blame  him  much.     I'd  do  it  in  his  place." 

"Where  are  you  going?"  demanded  the  tramp, 


42  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

who  hadn't  discovered  that  the  voice  was  not  that 
of  Tony. 

"I'm  going  to  Castleton,"  answered  Abner. 

"  Are  you  going  to  leave  the  hay  there?" 

"  Yes,  that's  what  I  calculate  to  do." 

"How  far  is  it?" 

"  Six  miles." 

"I'll  walk  along,  too." 

"Better  not,  squire,  you'll  get  tired." 

"I'll  risk  that." 

Of  course  Rudolph's  plan  was  manifest.  When 
the  hay  was  unloaded,  of  course  Tony  would  have 
to  get  down.     Then  he  would  get  hold  of  him. 

"You  can  do  just  as  you've  a  mind  to,"  said 
Abner.  "'You'll  be  company  to  Tony  and  me,  but 
you  needn't  put  yourself  out  on  our  account,  hey, 
Tony?" 

There  was  a  smoothered  laugh  on  top  of  the  hay, 
which  the  tramp  heard.  His  eyes  snapped  viciously, 
and  he  privately  determined  to  give  Tony  a  settle- 
ment in  full  for  all  his  offenses  just  as  soon  as  he 
got  hold  of  him." 

So  they  jogged  on,  mile  after  mile.  Abner  walked 
on  one  side,  swinging  his  whip,  and  occasionally 
cracking  it.  The  tramp  walked  on  the  other  side 
of  the  road,  and  the  boy  rode  along  luxuriously  em- 
bedded in  his  fragrant  couch  of  hay.  Abner  from 
time  to  time  kept  up  the  tramp's  illusions  by  calling 
out,  "Tony,  you  must  take  keer,  or  you'll  fall  off." 

"I'll  catch  him  if  he  does,"  said  Eudolph,  grimly*. 


abner's  ruse.  43 

"  So  you  will,"  chuckled  Abner.  "  You'd  like  to, 
wouldn't  you? " 

"  Certainly.     He  is  my  son,"  said  Kudolph. 

"Do  you  hear  that,  Tony?  He  says  you're  his 
son,"  said  Abner,  grinning  again. 

There  was  another  laugh  from  the  boy  on  the  load 
of  hay. 

"  You  won't  find  anything  to  laugh  at  when  I  get 
hold  of  you,"  muttered  Rudolph. 

So  they  rode  into  Castleton. 

From  time  to  time  Abner,  as  he  thought  how 
neatly  the  tramp  had  been  sold,  burst  into  a  loud 
laugh,  which  was  echoed  from  the  hay  wagon. 
Kudolph  was  not  only  angry,  but  puzzled. 

"  Does  the  boy  hope  to  escape  me?  "  he  asked  him- 
self. ' '  If  so,  he  will  find  himself  badly  mistaken. 
He  will  find  that  I  am  not  to  be  trifled  with." 

"Say,  squire,  what  makes  you  look  so  glum?" 
asked  Abner.  "Maybe  it's  because  I  didn't  let  you 
in  when  you  called  so  late  last  night.  We  don't  re- 
ceive visitors  after  midnight." 

Kudolph  scowled,  but  said  nothing. 

"How  long  has  the  boy  been  with  you?"  asked 
Abner,  further. 

"Since  he  was  born,"  answered  the  tramp. 
"Ain't  I  his  father?" 

"  I  don't  know.     If  it's  a  conundrum  I  give  it  up." 

"Well,  I  am,  and  no  one  has  a  right  to  keep  him 
from  me,"  said  the  tramp,  in  a  surly  manner. 

"I  wouldn't  keep  him  from  you  for  a  minute," 
said  Abner,  innocently. 


44  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


"'You  are  doing  it  now." 

"No,  I  ain't." 

"I  can't  get  at  him  on  that  hay." 

"  He  can  come  down  if  he  wants  to.  I  don't  stop 
him.  You  can  come  down  if  you  want  to,  Tony," 
he  said,  looking  up  to  where  the  boy's  hat  was  visi- 
ble. 

Tony  did  not  answer,  and  Abner  continued: 

"  You  see  he  don't  want  to  come.  He'd  rather 
ride.  You  know  he's  been  sick,"  said  Abner,  with 
a  grin,  "and  he's  too  delicate  to  walk.  He  ain't 
tough,  like  you  and  me." 

"He'll  need  to  be  tough,"  muttered  the  tramp,  as 
he  thought  of  the  flogging  he  intended  to  give 
Tony. 

"What  did  you  say?" 

"Never  mind." 

"  Oh,  I  don't  mind,"  said  Abner.  "  You  can  say 
what  you  want  to.  This  is  a  free  country,  only  you 
can't  do  what  you've  a  mind  to." 

Eudolph  wished  that  he  had  a  double  stock  of 
(Strength.  It  was  very  provoking  to  be  laughed  at. 
and  derided  by  Abner  without  being  able  to  re- 
venge himself.  A  pistol  or  a  knife  would  make 
him  even  with  the  countryman,  but  Eudolph  was 
too  much  of  a  coward  to  commit  such  serious 
crimes  when  there  was  so  much  danger  of  detection 
and  punishment. 

At  last  they  entered  Castleton. 

The  hay  was  to  be  delivered  to  a  speculator,  who 


abner's  ruse.  45 

collected  large  quantities  of  it  and  forwarded  over 
the  railroad  to  a  large  city. 

It  had  to  be  weighed,  and  Abner  drove  at  once  to 
the  hay  scales. 

"Now,"  thought  Eudolph,  with  exultation,  "the 
boy  must  come  down,  and  I  shall  get  hold  of  him." 

"  I  guess  you'd  better  slide  down,  *'  said  Abner.  '  'I 
can't  sell  you  for  hay,  Tony. " 

There  was  a  movement,  and  then  the  boy  slid 
down,  Abner  catching  him  as  he  descended. 

Rudolph's  face  changed  ominously  when  he  saw 
that  it  wasn't  Tony  who  made  his  appearance. 

"  What  does  this  mean? "  he  demanded  furiously. 

"What's  the  matter?" 

"This  isn't  Tony." 

fi  Come  to  look  at  him,  it  isn't,"  said  Abner,  with 
a  twinkle  in  his  eye. 

"Didn't  you  say  it  was  Tony?"  asked  tho  tramp, 
exasperated. 

"I  guess  I  was  mistaken,  squire,"  said  Abner, 
grinning. 

"Where  is  he?" 

"I  don't  know,  I'm  sure.  It  seems  he  didn't 
come.     Guess  he  must  have  given  us  the  slip." 

The  tramp,  unable  to  control  his  rage,  burst  into 
a  volley  of  execrations. 

"  Hope  you  feel  better,  squire,"  said  Abner,  when 
he  got  through. 

The  tramp  strode  off,  vowing  dire  vengeance 
against  both  Abner  and  Tony. 


"  What  does  this  mean  ?"  demanded  the  tramp  furiously     "  This  isn't 
Tony."— (See  page  45.>  46 


A  STRANGE  HOTEL.  47 


CHAPTER  Til. 

A    STRANGE    HOTEL. 

From  the  upper  window  in  the  farm  house,  which 
was  situated  on  elevated  ground,  Tony  saw  his  old 
guardian  follow  Abner.  Thus  the  way  was  opened 
for  his  escape.  He  waited,  however,  a  short  time  to 
make  sure  that  all  was  safe,  and  then  bade  farewell 
to  the  farmer  and  his  wife,  thanking  them  heartily 
for  their  kindness  to  him." 

" Won't  you  stay  longer  with  us?"  asked  the 
farmer.     "  You  can  as  well  as  not." 

"  Thank  you,"  answered  Tony,  "but  I  wouldn't 
dare  to.  Rudolph  may  be  back  for  me,  and  I  want 
to  get  away  before  he  has  a  chance." 

"Are  you  going  to  walk?"  asked  the  farmer's 
wife. 

"  Yes, "  said  Tony.  "I've  only  got  five  cents  in 
my  pocket,  and  I  can't  ride  far  on  that. " 

"  I'm  afraid  you  will  be  tired,"  said  she,  sympa- 
thetically. 

"Oh,  I'm  used  to  tramping,''  returned  Tony, 
lightly.     "  I  don't  mind  that  at  all. " 

" Can't  you  put  up  some  dinner  for  him,  wife?" 
suggested  the  farmer.  s '  It'll  make  him  hungry, 
walking." 

"To  be  sure  I  will,"  she  replied,  and  a  large  sup- 
ply of  eatables  were  put  in  a  paper,  sufficient  to 
last  Tony  twenty-four  hours,  at  least. 


48  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

The  farmer  deliberated  whether  he  should  not  of- 
fer our  hero  half  a  dollar  besides,  but  he  was  natu- 
rally close,  so  far  as  money  was  concerned,  and  he 
decided  in  the  negative. 

So  Tony  set  out,  taking  a  course  directly  opposite 
to  that  pursued  by  Abner.  In  this  way  he  thought 
he  should  best  avoid  the  chance  of  meeting  Ru- 
dolph. 

He  walked  easily,  not  being  in  any  special  hurry, 
and  whenever  he  felt  at  all  tired  he  stopped  by  the 
wayside  to  rest.  Early  in  the  afternoon  he  lay 
down  under  a  tree  in  the  pasture  and  fell  asleep. 
He  was  roused  by  a  cold  sensation,  and  found  that 
a  dog  had  pressed  his  cold  nose  against  his  cheek. 

"Haven't  you  any  more  manners,  sir?"  demanded 
Tony,  good-naturedly. 

The  dog  wagged  his  tail,  and  looked  friendly. 

"  It's  a  hint  that  I  must  be  on  my  journey,"  he 
thought. 

About  ^ve  o'clock  he  felt  that  it  was  about  time 
to  look  out  for  a  night's  rest.  A  hotel  was,  of 
course,  out  of  the  question,  and  he  looked  about  for 
a  farm  house.  The  nearest  dwelling  was  a  small 
one,  of  four  rooms,  setting  back  from  the  road, 
down  a  lane. 

"  Perhaps  I  can  get  in  there,"  thought  Tony. 

An  old  man,  with  a  patriarchal  beard,  whose  ne- 
glected and  squalid  dress  seemed  to  indicate  poverty, 
was  sitting  on  the  door-step. 

"  Good  evening,"  said  Tony. 

"  Who  are  you?"  demanded  the  old  man,  suspi- 
ciously. 


A  STRANGE   HOTEL.  49 

"  I  am  a  poor  traveler,"  said  Tony. 

"A  tramp!"  said  the  old  man,  in  the  same  suspi- 
cious tone. 

"  Yes,  I  suppose  so,"  said  Tony,  although  he  did 
not  like  the  title  overmuch. 

"Well,  I've  got  nothing  for  you,"  said  the  old 
man,  roughly. 

"I  don't  want  anything  except  the  chance  to 
sleep. " 

" Don't  you  want  any  supper?" 

"  No,  I've  got  my  supper  here,"  returned  our  hero, 
producing  his  paper  of  provisions. 

"  What  have  you  got  there? "  asked  the  old  man, 
with  an  eager  look. 

"  Some  bread  and  butter  and  cold  meat." 

"It  looks  good,"  said  the  other,  with  what  Tony 
thought  to  be  a  longing  look. 

"I'll  share  it  with  you,  if  you'll  let  me  sleep  here 
to-night,"  said  Tony. 

"  Will  you?  "  the  other  answered. 

"  Yes;  there's  enough  for  both  of  us." 

The  old  man  was  a  miser,  as  Tony  suspected.  He 
was  able  to  live  comfortably,  but  he  deprived  him- 
self of  the  necessaries  of  life  in  order  to  hoard  away 
money.  His  face  revealed  that  to  Tony.  He  had 
nearly  starved  himself,  but  he  had  not  overcome 
his  natural  appetites,  and  the  sight  of  Tony's  supper 
gave  him  a  craving  for  it. 

"  I  don't  know,"  he  said,  doubtfully.  "  If  I  let  you 
sleep  here  you  might  get  up  in  the  night  and  rob 


50  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

Tony  laughed. 

"You  don't  look  as  if  you  had  anything  worth 
stealing, "  he  said,  candidly. 

"  You're  right,  quite  right,"  said  old  Ben  Hay  den, 
for  this  was  his  name.  "I've  only  saved  a  little 
money — a  very  little — to  pay  my  funeral  expenses. 
You  wouldn't  want  to  take  that?" 

"Oh,  no,"  said  Tony.  "I  wouldn't  take  it  if 
you'd  give  it  to  me." 

"You  wouldn't?  why  not?" 

"Because  you  need  it  yourself .  If  you  were  a 
rich  man  it  would  be  different. " 

"  So  it  would,"  said  old  Hay  den.  "  You're  a  good 
boy — an  excellent  boy.  I'll  trust  you.  You  can 
stay. " 

"Then  let  us  eat  supper,"  said  Tony. 

He  sat  down  on  the  door-step,  and  gave  the  old 
man  half  of  his  supply  of  food.  He  was  interested 
to  see  the  avi  dity  with  which  he  ate  it. 

"  Is  it  good? "  he  asked. 

"I  haven't  eaten  anything  so  good  for  a  long 
time.     I  couldn't  afford  to  buy  food." 

"  I  am  sorry  for  you." 

"  You  haven't  got  any  left  for  breakfast,"  said  the 
old  man. 

''Oh,  somebody  will  give  me  breakfast,"  said 
Tony.     "  I  always  get  taken  care  of  somehow." 

"  You  are  young  and  strong." 

"Yes." 

"  Do  you  travel  around  all  the  time?" 

"  Yes;  but  I  hope  to  get  a  chance  to  go  to  work 
soon;  I'd  rather  live  in  one  place," 


A   STRANGE  HOTEL.  51 

"  You  might  live  with  me  if  I  were  not  so  poor," 
said  the  old  man. 

"Thank  you,"  answered  Tony,  politely;  but  it 
did  not  appear  to  him  that  it  was  exactly  such  a 
home  as  he  would  choose. 

"  Do  you  live  alone?  "  he  asked. 

"Yes." 

"I  didn't  know  but  you  might  be  married." 

"  I  was  married  when  I  was  a  young  man,  but 
my  wife  died  long  ago." 

"Why  don't  you  marry  again?"  inquired  Tony, 
half  in  fun. 

"I  couldn't  afford  it,"  answered  Hayden,  fright- 
ened at  the  suggestion.  "  Women  have  terrible  ap- 
petites." 

"  Have  they?"  returned  Tony,  amused. 

"And  I  can't  get  enough  for  myself  to  eat." 

"  Have  you  always  lived  here? " 

"No;  I  lived  in  England  when  I  was  a  young 
man." 

"What  made  you  leave  it?  " 

"  Why  do  you  ask  me  that?"  demanded  old  Ben, 
suspiciously. 

"  Oh,  if  it's  a  secret,  don't  tell  me,"  said  Tony,  in- 
differently. 

"Who  said  it  was  a  secret?"  said  the  old  man, 
irritably. 

"  Nobody  that  I  know  of." 

"  Then  why  do  you  ask  me  such  questions? " 

The  old  man  surveyed  Tony  with  a  look  of  doubt, 
as  if  he  thought  the  boy  were  laying  a  trap  for 
him. 


52  TOSY,    THE  HERO. 

"  Don't  answer  anything  you  don't  want  to,"  said 
our  hero.  "I  only  asked  for  the  sake  of  saying 
something." 

"I  don't  mind  telling,  said  old  Ben,  more  calmly. 
"  It  was  because  I  was  so  poor.  I  thought  I  could 
do  better  in  America." 

"And  didn't  you?" 

"  When  I  was  able  to  work.  Now  I'm  weak  and 
poor,  and  can't  always  get  enough  to  eat." 

"  Do  you  own  this  place? " 

"Yes,  but  it's  a  very  poor  place.  It  isn't  worth 
much." 

"I  shouldn't  think  it  was,"  said  Tony. 

"You're  a  good  lad — an  excellent  lad.  You  see 
how  poor  I  am." 

"  Of  course  I  do,  and  I'm  sorry  for  you.  I  would 
help  you,  only  I  am  very  poor  myself." 

"Have  you  got  any  money?"  asked  Ben,  with 
interest. 

"I've  got  five  cents,"  answered  Tony,  laughing. 
I  hope  you've  got  more  than  that. " 

"A  little  more — a  very  little  more,"  said  Ben, 
cautiously. 

The  old  miser  began  to  consider  whether  he 
couldn't  charge  Tony  five  cents  for  his  lodging,  but 
sighed  at  the  recollection  that  Tony  had  already 
paid  for  it  in  advance  by  giving  him  a  supper. 

When  eight  o'clock  came  the  miser  suggested 
going  to  bed. 

"I  haven't  any  lights,"  he  said;  "candles  cost  so 
much.     Besides,  a  body's  better  off  in  bed," 


A  STRANGE  HOTEL.  53 

" I'm  willing  to  go  to  bed,"  said  Tony.  "I've 
walked  a  good  deal  to-day,  and  I'm  tired." 

They  went  into  the  honse.  There  was  a  heap  of 
rags  in  the  corner  of  the  room  when  they  entered. 

" That's  my  bed,"  said  old  Ben;  "it  all  I  have." 

"I  can  sleep  on  the  floor,"  said  Tony. 

He  took  off  his  jacket,  and  rolled  it  up  for  a  pil- 
low, and  stretched  himself  out  on  the  bare  floor. 
He  had  often  slept  so  before. 


54  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

TONY  HIRES  OUT  AS  A  COOK  AND  HOUSEKEEPER. 

Tony  was  not  slow  in  going  to  sleep.  Neither  his 
hard  bed  nor  his  strange  bed-chamber  troubled  him. 
He  could  sleep  anywhere.  That  was  one  of  the  ad- 
vantages of  his  checkered  life. 

Generally  he  slept  all  night  without  awaking,  but 
to-night,  for  some  unknown  reason,  he  awoke 
about  two  o'clock.  It  was  unusually  light  for  that 
hour,  and  so  he  was  enabled  to  see  what  at  first 
startled  him.  The  old  man  was  out  of  bed,  and  on 
his  knees  in  the  center  of  the  room.  He  had  raised 
a  plank,  forming  a  part  of  the  flooring,  and  had 
raised  from  beneath  it  a  canvass  bag  full  of  gold 
pieces.  He  was  taking  them  out  and  counting 
thenx,  apparently  quite  unconscious  of  Tony's  pres- 
ence. 

Tony  raised  himself  on  his  elbow,  and  looked  at 
him.  It  occurred  to  him  that  for  a  man  so  suspi- 
cious it  was  strange  that  he  should  expose  his  hoard 
before  a  stranger.  Something,  however,  in  the  old 
man's  look  led  him  to  think  that  he  was  in  a  sleep- 
walking fit. 

"Ninety-five,  ninety-six,  ninety-seven,"  Tony 
heard  him  count;  "that  makes  nine  hundred  and 
seventy  dollars,  all  gold,  good,  beautiful  gold.  No- 
body knows  the  old  man  is  so  rich.    There's  another 


TONY  HIRES  OUT  AS  A  COOK  AXD  HOUSEKEEPER.  55 

bag,  too.  There  are  one  hundred  pieces  in  that. 
Three  more,  and  this  will  be  full,  too.  Nobody 
must  know,  nobody  must  know. " 

He  put  back  the  pieces,  replaced  the  bag  in  its 
hiding-place,  and  then  putting  back  the  plank,  laid 
down  once  more  on  his  heap  of  rags. 

" How  uneasy  he  would  be,"  thought  Tony,  "if 
he  knew  I  had  seen  his  treasures.  But  I  wouldn't 
rob  him  for  the  world,  although  the  money  would 
do  me  good,  and  he  makes  no  use  of  it  except  to 
look  at  it." 

If  Tony  was  honest,  it  was  an  instinctive  feeling. 
It  could  not  have  been  expected  of  one  reared  as  he 
had  been.  But.  singular  as  it  may  seem,  beyond  a 
vague  longing,  he  felt  no  temptation  to  deprive  old 
Ben  of  his  money. 

"Let  him  get  what  satisfaction  he  can  from  it," 
he  said  to  himself.  ' '  I  hope  he'll  keep  it  till  he 
dies.  I  am  only  afraid  that  some  night  some  one 
will  see  him  counting  the  gold  who  will  want  to 
take  it." 

Tony  went  to  bed  again,  and  slept  till  six.  Then 
he  was  awakened  by  a  piteous  groaning,  which  he 
soon  found  proceeded  from  the  other  bed. 

"  What's  the  matter? "  he  asked. 

"Who's  there? "  demanded  Ben,  terrified. 

"It's  only  I.  Don't  you  remember  you  let  me 
sleep  here  last  night? " 

"  0,  yes;  I  remember  now.     I'm  sick;  very  sick." 

"How  do  you  feel? " 

"I'm  aching  and  trembling  all  over.      Do  you 


56  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

think  I  am  going  to  die? "  he  asked,  with  a  startled 
look. 

"Oh,  no,  I  guess  not,"  said  Tony,  reassuringly. 
" Everybody  is  sick  now  and  then." 

"I  never  felt  so  before,"  groaned  Ben.  "I'm  an 
old  man.  Don't  you  think — don't  you  really  think 
I  shall  die? " 

He  looked  appealingly  at  Tony,  as  if  the  flat  of 
life  and  death  lay  with  him. 

Tony,  of  course,  knew  nothing  of  medicine  or  of 
diseases,  but  he  had  the  sense  to  understand  that 
the  old  man  would  be  more  likely  to  recover  if  his 
terror  could  be  allayed,  and  he  said,  lightly: 

"Oh,  it's  only  a  trifle.  You've  taken  cold,  very 
likely.     A  cup  of  hot  tea  would  be  good  for  you." 

"I  haven't  any  tea,"  groaned  Ben.  "It  costs  a 
great  deal,  and  I'm  very  poor.  I  can't  afford  to 
buy  it." 

Tony  smiled  to  himself,  remembering  the  hoard 
of  gold  under  the  floor,  but  he  would  not  refer  to 
it,  at  least  not  at  present. 

"  Are  you  sure  you  haven't  got  a  little  money?" 
he  asked.  "If  you  want  to  get  well,  you  must  be 
made  comfortable." 

"It's  hard  to  be  poor,"  whined  Ben. 

"  I  guess  you've  got  some  money,"  said  Tony. 
"You'd  better  let  me  go  to  the  store,  and  buy  some 
tea  and  a  fresh  roll  for  you." 

"  How  much  will  it  cost?"  asked  Ben. 

"I  can 'get  some  bread,  and  tea,  and  sugar  for 
thirty  or  forty  cents,"  answered  Tony. 


TOXY  HIRES  OUT  AS  A  COOK  AND  HOUSEKEEPER.  57 

" Forty  cents!  It's  frightful!"  exclaimed  Ben. 
"I— I  guess  I'll  do  without  it." 

1  '  Oh,  well,  if  you  prefer  to  lie  there  and  die  its 
none  of  my  business, "  said  Tony,  rather  provoked 
at  the  old  man's  perverse  folly. 

"But  I  don't  want  to  die,"  whined  Ben. 

"  Then  do  as  I  teU  you." 

Tony  jumped  out  of  bed,  unrolled  his  coat,  and 
put  it  on. 

"Now,"  said  he,  "I'm  ready  to  go  for  you,  if 
you'll  give  me  the  money." 

"But  you  may  take  it"  and  not  come  back,"  said 
the  old  man,  suspiciously. 

"If  you  think  you  can't  trust  me,  you  needn't," 
said  Tony.     "  I've  offered  to  do  you  a  favor." 

"I  think  I'll  go  myself,"  said  Ben. 

He  tried  to  raise  himself,  but  a  twinge  of  pain 
compeUed  him  to  lie  down  again." 

"No,  I  can't,"  he  said. 

"  Well,  do  you  want  me  to  go  for  you? " 

"Yes,"  answered  Ben,  reluctantly. 

"Then  give  me  the  money." 

Still  more  reluctantly  Ben  produced  twenty-five 
cents  from  his  pocket. 

"  Isn't  that  enough?"  he  asked. 

"Better  give  me  more,"  said  Tony. 

He  produced  ten  cents  more,  and  vowed  it  was 
all  the  money  he  had  in  the  world. 

Tony  decided  not  to  contradict  his  assertion,  but 
to  make  this  go  as  far  as  it  would.  He  put  on  his 
hat  and  started  out.     He  meant  also  to  call  at  the 


58  TONY,   THE  HERO. 

doctor's,  and  asked  him  to  call  round,  for  he 
thought  it  possible  that  the  old  man  might  be  seri- 
ously sick. 

First,  however,  he  went  to  the  grocery  store, 
which  had  only  just  been  opened,  and  obtained  the 
articles  which  he  had  mentioned  to  Ben  as  likely  to 
do  him  good. 

Next  he  called  at  the  house  of  the  village  doctor, 
obtaining  the  direction  from  the  storekeeper.  In  a 
few  words  he  made  known  his  errand. 

f '  Old  Ben  sick ! "  said  Doctor  Compton.  ' '  What's 
the  matter  with  him?" 

Tony  explained  how  he  appeared  to  be  affected. 

"  How  did  you  happen  to  be  in  his  house? "  asked 
the  doctor,  with  curiosity.  ' '  You  are  not  a  relation 
of  his,  are  you? " 

Tony  laughed. 

"I  don't  think  he  would  let  me  into  the  house  if 
1  were,"  he  said.  "He  would  be  suspicious  of 
me." 

' '  Then  how  does  it  happen  that  you  were  with 
him?" 

Tony  explained. 

"  He  has  been  repaid  for  taking  you  in,"  said  the 
doctor.  "I'll  put  on  my  hat,  and  go  right  over 
with  you." 

After  Tony  left  the  house,  old  Ben  lay  and  tor- 
mented himself  with  the  thought  that  the  boy 
would  never  come  back.  "Just  as  like  as  not,"  he 
thought,  'fhe  will  go  off  with  the  money,  and 
leave  me  here  to  die." 


TONY  HIRES  OUT  AS  A  COOK  AND  HOUSEKEEPER.  59 

Then  lie  tried  to  sit  up,  but  without  success. 

Half  an  hour  later  he  was  relieved  by  seeing  the 
door  open,  and  Tony  enter.  But  he  looked  dis- 
mayed when  he  saw  the  doctor. 

"  What  did  you  come  for?"  he  asked,  peevishly. 

"To  see  what  I  can  do  for  you,  Mr.  Hayden.  Let 
me  feel  your  pulse.'' 

"But  I  can't  afford  to  have  a  doctor.  I  am  poor, 
and  can't  pay  you,"  whined  old  Ben. 

"We'll  talk  about  that  afterward." 

"  You  can't  charge  when  I  didn't  send  for  you." 

"  Make  your  mind  easy.  I  won't  charge  for  this 
visit.     Let  me  feel  your  pulse." 

Old  Ben  no  longer  opposed  medical  treatment, 
finding  it  would  cost  nothing. 

"  Am  I  going  to  die?"  he  asked,  with  an  anxious 
look. 

"You  need  nourishing  food  and  care,  that  is  all," 
was  the  reply.  ' '  You  have  had  a  chill,  and  you 
are  reduced  by  insufficient  food." 

"I  have  some  bread  and  tea  here,"  said  Tony. 

"Do  you  know  how  to  make  the  tea? "  asked  the 
doctor. 

"Yes,"  said  Tony. 

"Then  make  a  fire,  and  boil  it  at  once.  And,  by 
the  way,  Mr.  Hayden  needs  somebody  to  be  with 
him  for  a  few  days.  Can  you  stay  with  him  and 
look  after  him? " 

"If  he  will  give  me  money  enough  to  buy  what 
he  needs,"  said  Tony. 

"  Will  you  do  it,  Mr.  Hayden? "  asked  the  doctor. 


60  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

Old  Ben  whined  that  he  was  poor,  and  had  no 
money,  but  the  doctor  interrupted  him  impatiently. 

"  That's  all  nonsense/7  he  said.  "You  may  not 
have  much  money,  but  you've  got  some,  and  you'll 
die  if  you  don't  spend  some  on  yourself .  If  you 
don't  agree  to  it,  I  shall  advise  this  boy  here  to  leave 
you  to  your  fate.  Then  your  only  resource  will  be 
to  go  to  the  poor-house." 

This  proposal  was  not  acceptable  to  Ben,  who  was 
unwilling  to  leave  the  house  where  his  treasures 
were  concealed.  He  therefore  reluctantly  acceded 
to  the  doctor's  conditions,  and  Tony  got  his  break- 
fast. Despite  his  sickness,  he  relished  the  tea  and 
toast,  and  for  the  moment  forgot  what  it  cost. 

"Well,"  thought  Tony  to  himself  with  a  smile, 
"I've  got  a  situation  as  plain  cook  and  housekeeper. 
I  wonder  how  long  it  will  last,  and  what'll  come  of 
it.     I  don't  believe  Eudolph  will  look  for  me  here." 

But  in  this  Tony  was  mistaken. 


THE  FACE  AT   THE  WINDOW.  61 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

THE  FACE   AT   THE   WINDOW. 

Tony  was  not  only  cook  and  housekeeper,  but  he 
was  sick-nurse  as  well.  Nor  were  his  duties  easy. 
The  main  difficulty  was  about  getting  money  to  buy 
what  was  absolutely  necessary.  This  was  very  ag- 
gravating, especially  since  Tony  knew  what  he  did 
about  Ben's  hidden  treasure.  Moreover,  he  had  rea- 
son to  suspect  that  Ben  had  more  money  concealed 
elsewhere. 

One  morning  Tony  went  to  Ben  for  money,  say 
ing: 

"There  isn't  a  scrap  of  food  in  the  house,  except 
a  little  tea."' 

"You  can  make  some  tea.  That  will  do,"  said 
Ben. 

"It  may  do  for  you,  but  it  wont  for  me,"  said 
Tony,  resolutely.  "I  ain't  going  to  stay  here  to 
starve." 

"It  costs  a  sight  to  support  two  people,"  whined 
the  old  man. 

"I  don't  know  about  that.  I've  only  spent  two 
dollars  in  six  days.  You  don't  call  that  much,  do 
you? " 

"Two  dollars!"  ejaculated  the  old  man,  terrified. 
"  0,  it's  too  much.     I  am  ruined!  " 

"Are  you?"  said  Tony,  coolly.  "Then  all  I  can 
say  is,  you're  easy  ruined.     I  want  half  a  dollar." 


62  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"I  shan't  give  it  to  you,"  snarled  Ben. 

"Do  you  mean  to  starve?" 

' '  I  won't  part  with  all  I  have.  You  are  robbing 
me." 

' '  That  won't  make  much  difference,  as  you'll  be 
dead  in  three  days,"  said  Tony. 

"  What?"  almost  shrieked  Ben,  in  dismay.  "Who 
told  you  so?    The  doctor?  " 

"No." 

"  You  ain't  goin'  to  murder  me,  are  you?" 

"No;  you  are  going  to  murder  yourself." 

"What  do  you  mean?"  demanded  Ben,  peevishly. 

"  You're  not  willing  to  buy  anything  to  eat,"  ex- 
plained Tony,  "  and  you  can't  live  above  three  days 
on  nothing. " 

"Is  that  all?  What  made  you  frighten  me  so  f 
complained  Ben,  angrily. 

"I  only  told  you  the  truth.  Are  you  going  to 
give  me  the  money? " 

"Perhaps  you'll  tell  me  where  I  am  to  get  so 
much  money  ?"  said  Ben,  in  the  same  tone. 

"I  will  tell  you  if  you  want  me  to,"  answered 
Tony. 

"Where?"  asked  Ben,  eagerly. 

"  Under  the  floor,"  returned  Tony,  composedly. 

"What! "  screamed  Ben,  in  consternation. 

"Just  where  I  said.  There's  plenty  of  money 
under  that  plank." 

"Who  told  you?"  groaned  the  old  man,  livid  with 
terror.     "  Have — have  you  taken  any?  " 

"Not  a  dollar.  It's  all  there.  You  needn't  be 
frightened." 


THE  FACE  AT  THE  WINDOW.  63 

"Have  you  been  spying  when  I  was  asleep?"  de- 
manded Ben,  incensed. 

"No,  I  haven't.  That  ain't  my  style,"  answered 
Tony,  independently. 

"You  did.     I  know  you  did." 

"  Then  you  know  too  much." 

"  How  could  you  find  out,  then  ?" 

"If  you  want  to  know,  I'll  tell  you.  The  first 
night  I  was  here  you  got  up  in  your  sleep  and  took 
up  the  board.  Then  you  drew  out  two  bags  of  gold 
pieces  and  counted  them." 

"Oh,  I'm  ruined!  I'm  undone!"  lamented  Ben, 
when  he  found  that  his  secret  had  been  discovered. 

"  I  don't  see  how  you  are." 

"I  shall  be  robbed.  There's  only  a  little  there — 
only  a  few  dollars  to  bury  me." 

"I  guess  you  mean  to  have  a  tall  funeral,  then," 
said  Tony,  coolly.  "  There's  as  much  as  a  thousand 
dollars  there." 

"No,  no— only  fifty,"  answered  the  old  man. 

"There's  no  use  talking,  I  know  better.  If  you 
don't  believe  it,  suppose  I  take  up  the  bags  and 
count  the  pieces." 

"No,  no!" 

"Just  as  you  say.  All  is,  you've  got  plenty  of 
money,  and  I  know  it,  and  if  }Tou  ain't  willing  to 
use  some  of  it,  IT1  go  off  and  leave  you  alone." 

"Don't  go,"  said  Ben,  hastily.  "You're  a  good 
boy.  You  wouldn't  rob  a  poor  old  man,  would 
you?" 

"Nor  a  rich  old  man  either;  but  I  don't  mean  to 


64  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

starve.  So  give  me  fifty  cents,  and  I'll  go  over  to 
the  store  and  get  some  fresh  bread  and  butter,  and 
tea  and  sugar." 

"No  matter  about  the  butter.  It  costs  too  much." 

"I  want  butter  myself.  My  constitution  requires 
it,"  said  Tony.  You  needn't  eat  it  if  you  don't 
want  to." 

Ben  groaned  again,  but  he  produced  the  money 
required,  and  Tony  soon  returned  from  the  grocery 
store  with  small  supplies  of  the  articles  he  had 
named. 

"Now  we'll  have  some  breakfast,"  said  Tony, 
cheerfully.     "  Don't  you  feel  hungry?" 

"A — a  little,"  acknowledged  Ben,  reluctantly. 
"I  wish  I  wasn't.     It  costs  so  much  to  live." 

"I  don't  think  it  costs  you  much,"  said  Tony. 
"This  morning  I'm  going  to  give  you  a  boiled  egg 
besides  your  tea  and  toast." 

"  Where  did  you  get  it? " 

"I  bought  it  at  the  store." 

"I  can't  afford  it,"  groaned  the  old  man. 

' i  You  may  as  well  eat  it  as  it's  here.  I  bought 
two,  one  for  myself. " 

"  How  much  did  you  pay?  " 

"Three  cents  for  two." 

Ben  groaned  again,  but  when  breakfast  was  ready 
he  showed  an  unusually  good  appetite,  and  did  not 
refrain  from  partaking  of  the  egg,  expensive  as  it 
was. 

Dr.  Compton  came  in  the  next  morning,  and  pro- 
nounced the  old  man  better  and  stronger. 


(I 


THE  FACE  AT  THE  WINDOW.  65 

" Shall  I  be  able  to  get  up  soon,  doctor?"  asked 
Ben. 

"In  a  day  or  two,  I  think." 

Ben  heaved  a  sigh  of  relief. 

"I'm  glad  of  it,"  he  said.  "I  can't  afford  to  be 
sick." 

"Has  it  cost  you  much?"  asked  the  doctor, 
amused. 

"It  costs  a  sight  to  live.  He  eats  a  good  deal," 
indicating  Tony. 

"He's  a  growing  boy;  but  he's  worth  all  he  costs 
you.     You'd  better  ask  him  to  stay  with  you  a  few 
weeks,  till  your  strength  is  entirely  recovered." 
No,  no;  I  can't  afford  it,"  said  Ben,  hastily. 

He's  a  good  boy;  but  he's  very  hearty — very 
hearty." 

Tony  laughed. 

"Don't  vex  him,  doctor,"  said  our  hero.  "I'm 
tired  of  staying  here.  I  want  to  get  out  on  the  road 
again.  There  isn't  much  fun  in  staying  shut  up 
here." 

Ben  looked  relieved.  He  had  feared  that  Tony 
would  be  reluctant  to  go. 

"Eight,  boy,"  he  said,  "  you're  right.  It's  a  dull 
place.     You'll  be  better  off  to  go." 

"You  have  been  lucky  to  have  him  here  during 
your  sickness, "  said  the  doctor.  ' '  Without  his  care, 
or  that  of  some  one  else,  you  would  probably  have 
died." 

"But  I  won't  die  now?"  asked  old  Ben,  anxiously, 
peering  up  into  the  doctor's  face. 


66  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"Not  at  present,  I  hope.  But  you  must  live  bet^ 
ter  than  you  have  been  accustomed  to  do  or  you 
will  fall  sick  again.*' 

"I  shall  be  glad  to  get  away,"  said  Tony,  hurried- 
ly, to  the  doctor,  outside  of  the  house.  ' '  I'm  used 
to  tramping,  and  I  can't  stand  it  much  longer. 
There's  one  thing  I  want  to  tell  you  before  I  go,  and 
I  might  as  well  do  it  now." 

"Go  on,  my  boy." 

"I'm  afraid  the  old  man  will  be  robbed  some 
time." 

"Is  there  anything  to  steal?" 

"  Yes;  I  think  I  had  better  tell  you  about  it." 

Tony,  in  a  low  tone,  imparted  to  Dr.  Compton  the 
discovery  he  had  made  of  the  old  miser's  hoards. 

"I  suspected  as  much,"  said  the  doctor.     "I  will 

do  what  I  can  to  induce  Ben  to  have  the  gold  moved 

to  a  place  of  safety,  but  I  don't  feel  confident  of  my 

ability  to  do  it.     Such  men  generally  like  to  have 

then  hoards  within  their  own  reach." 

****** 

Two  nights  later,  Tony  woke  shortly  after  mid- 
night. It  was  a  bright,  moonlight  night,  as  on  the 
first  night  he  slept  there.  Again  he  saw  Ben 
crouched  on  the  floor,  with  the  plank  removed  from 
its  place,  engaged  in  counting  his  hoards.  The  old 
man  had  recovered  enough  strength  to  get  out  of 
bed  without  assistance.  This  time,  too,  he  was 
broad  awake. 

Tony  was  not  the  only  witness  of  the  spectacle. 
Casting  his  eyes  toward  the  window  he  was  startled 


THE  FACE  AT   THE  WTXDOW.  67 

by  seeing  a  dark,  sinister  face,  pressed  against  the 
pane,  almost  devouring  the  old  man  and  his  gold. 

It  was  a  face  he  well  knew,  and  he  trembled  not 
alone  for  Ben,  but  for  himself. 

It  was  the  face  of  Rudolph,  the  tramp. 


G8  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  X 

THE  TRAMPS   UNEXPECTED  DEFEAT. 

"  Has  Eudolph  tracked  me,  or  is  it  only  accident 
that  has  brought  hirn  here? " 

This  was  the  thought  which  naturally  suggested 
itself  to  our  hero,  as  in  a  very  disturbed  state  of 
mind  he  stared  at  Eudolph  through  the  uncertain 
light. 

He  decided  that  it  was  accident,  for  as  yet  the 
tramp  did  not  appear  to  have  discovered  him.  His 
eyes  were  fastened  upon  old  Ben  with  unmistaka- 
ble cupidity.  It  was  the  gold  that  attracted  h'm, 
and  between  him  and  the  possession  of  the  gold  it 
seemed  as  if  there  were  no  obstacle  to  intervene. 
"What  was  the  old  man's  feeble  strength,  more  fee- 
ble still  through  disease,  against  this  powerful  man? 

Tony  felt  the  difficulties  of  the  position.  Not 
only  would  the  gold  be  taken,  but  as  soon  as  Eu- 
dolph discovered  him,  as  he  would,  he  too  would 
fall  into  the  power  of  the  tramp. 

Old  Ben  had  not  yet  discovered  the  sinister  face 
at  the  window.  He  was  too  busily  occupied  with 
his  pleasant  employment  of  counting  over  his  gold 
for  the  hundredth  time,  it  might  be,  to  be  aware  of 
the  dangerous  witness  at  the  window. 

But  he  was  speedily  aroused  by  the  noise  of  the 
window  being  raised  from  the  outside. 


THE   TRAMP'S   UNEXPECTED  DEFEAT,  69 

Then  he  turned  with  a  startled  look  which 
quickly  deepened  into  astonishment  and  dismay  as 
he  caught  the  lowering  look  fixed  upon  him.  There 
was  more  than  this.    There  was  recognition  besides. 

"You  here?"  he  gasped,  mechanically  gathering 
up  the  gold  in  his  trembling  fingers,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  replacing  it  in  the  bag. 

"  Yes,  Ben,  it's  me,"  answered  the  tramp,  with  a 
sneer.     "  May  I  come  in?" 

"No,  no!  "  ejaculated  the  old  man,  hastily. 

"  I  think  I  must,  "returned  the  tramp,  in  the  same 
mocking  tone.  "  I  came  to  see  you  as  an  old  friend, 
but  I  never  dreamed  you  were  so  rich.  That's  a 
pretty  lot  of  gold  you  have  there." 

"Rich!"  repeated  Ben,  with  his  usual  whine. 
"  I'm  very  poor." 

"That  looks  like  it." 

"It's  only  a  few  dollars — enough  to  bury  me." 

"Very  well,  Ben,  111  take  charge  of  it,  and  when 
you  need  burial  I'll  attend  to  it.  That's  fair,  isn't 
it?" 

Rudolph,  who  had  paused  outside,  now  raised  the 
window  to  its  full  height,  and  despite  the  old  man's 
terrified  exclamations,  bounded  lightly  into  the  room. 

"Help!  help!  thieves!"  screamed  Ben,  almost 
beside  himself  with  terror,  as  he  spread  his  feeble 
hands  over  the  gold  which  he  had  so  imprudently 
exposed. 

"Hold  your  jaw,  you  driveling  old  idiot?"  said 
Rudolph,  harshly,  "  or  I'll  give  you  something  to  yell 
about.'' 


70  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"  Help,  Tony,  help! "  continued  the  old  man. 

The  tramp's  eyes,  following  the  direction  of  Ben's, 
discovered  our  hero  on  his  rude  bed  in  the  corner  of 
the  room.  A  quick  gleam  of  exultation  shot  from 
them  as  he  made  this  discovery. 

■  "  Ho,  ho! "  he  laughed  with  a  mirth  that  boded  ill 
to  Tony,  "so  I've  found  you  at  last,  have  I?  You 
served  me  a  nice  trick  the  other  day,  didn't  you?  I 
owe  you  something  for  that." 

' '  I  hoped  I  should  never  set  eyes  on  you  again," 
said  Tony. 

"I've  no  doubt  you  did.  You  undertook  to  run 
away  from  me,  did  you?  I  knew  I  should  come 
across  you  sooner  or  later." 

While  this  conversation  was  going  on,  Ben 
glanced  from  one  to  the  other  in  surprise,  his  at- 
tention momentarily  drawn  away  from  his  own 
troubles. 

"  Do  you  know  this  boy,  Eudolph?"  he  inquired. 

"I  should  think  I  did,"  answered  the  tramp, 
grimly.     "You  can  ask  him. " 

1 '  Who  is  he  ?  "  asked  Ben,  evidently  excited. 

"  What  is  that  to  you? "  returned  Eudolph.  "It's 
a  boy  I  picked  up,  and  have  taken  care  of,  and  this 
is  his  gratitude  to  me,  and  I've  had  a  long  chase  to 
find  him. " 

"Is  this  true?"  asked  Ben,  turning  to  Tony. 

"Some  of  it  is  true,"  said  our  hero.  "I've  been 
with  him  ever  since  I  could  remember,  and  I  ran 
away  because  he  wanted  me  to  join  him  in  robbing 
a  house.  He  calls  me  his  son  sometimes,  but  I 
know  he  is  not  my  father," 


THE  TRAMP'S  UNEXPECTED  DEFEAT.       71 

''How  do  you  know?"  demanded  the  tramp 
sternly. 

' '  Didn't  you  say  so  just  now? " 

' '  It  was  none  of  the  old  man's  business,  and  I  did 
not  care  what  I  told  him. " 

"There's  something  within  me  tells  me  that 
there's  no  relationship  between  us,"  said  Tony, 
boldly. 

' f  Is  there,  indeed, "  sneered  the  tramp.  ' '  Is  there 
anything  within  you  tells  you  you  are  going  to  get 
a  good  flogging? " 

"No,  there  isn't." 

"Then  you  needn't  trust  it,  for  that  is  just  what 
is  going  to  happen." 

He  advanced  toward  Tony  in  a  threatening  man- 
ner, when  he  was  diverted  from  his  purpose  by  see- 
ing the  old  man  hastily  gathering  up  the  gold  with 
the  intention  of  putting  it  away.  Punishment 
could  wait,  he  thought,  but  the  gold  must  be  se- 
cured now. 

"Not  so  fast,  Ben!  "  he  said.  "You  must  lend 
me  some  of  that." 

"  I  can't,"  said  Ben,  hurrying  aU  the  faster.  "It's 
all  I  have,  and  I  am  very  poor." 

"I  am  poorer  still,  for  I  haven't  a  red  to  bless  my- 
self with.  Come,  I  won't  take  aU,  but  some  I  must 
have." 

He  stooped  over,  and  began  to  grasp  at  the  gold 
pieces,  some  of  which  were  heaped  up  in  piles  upon 
the  floor. 

Even  the  weakest  are  capable  of  harm  when  ex- 


72  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

asperated,  and  Ben,  feeble  as  he  was,  was  gifted 
with  supernatural  strength  when  he  saw  himself 
likely  to  lose  the  hoards  of  a  lifetime,  and  his  anger 
rose  to  fever  heat  against  the  scoundrel  whom  he 
had  known  years  before  to  be  utterly  unprincipled. 

With  a  cry  like  that  of  a  wild  beast  he  sprang 
upon  the  tramp,  who,  in  his  crouching  position, 
was  unable  to  defend  himself  against  a  sudden  at- 
tack. Eudolph  fell  with  violence  backward,  strik- 
ing his  head  with  great  force  against  the  brick 
hearth.  Strong  as  he  was,  it  was  too  much  for  him, 
and  he  lay  stunned  and  insensible,  with  the  blood 
gushing  from  a  wound  in  his  head. 

The  old  man  stood  appalled  at  the  consequence  of 
his  sudden  attack. 

"Have  I  kiUed  him?  Shall  I  be  hanged?"  he 
asked,  with  anguish. 

"No,  he's  only  stunned!"  said  Tony,  springing 
over  the  floor  with  all  his  wits  about  him.  ' '  We 
have  no  time  to  lose." 

"  To  run  away?  I  can't  leave  my  gold,"  said  Ben. 

"  I  don't  mean  that.  We  must  secure  him  against 
doing  us  any  harm  when  he  recovers.  Have  you 
got  some  stout  cord? " 

"Yes,  yes,"  said  Ben,  beginning  to  understand 
our  hero's  design.     "  Stay,  I'll  get  it  right  away." 

"You'd  better,  for  he  may  come  to  any  minute." 

The  old  man  fumbled  round  until  in  some  out-of- 
the-way  corner,  where  he  had  laid  away  a  store  of 
odds  and  ends,  he  discovered  a  quantity  of  stout 
cord. 


THE   TRAMP'S   UNEXPECTED  DEFEAT.  T3 

"Will  that  do?  "he  asked. 

"Just  the  thing,"  said  Tony. 

The  boy  set  to  work  with  rapid  hands  to  tie  the 
prostrate  tramp  hand  and  foot.  He  was  only  afraid 
Eudolph  would  rouse  to  consciousness  while  the 
operation  was  going  on,  but  the  shock  was  too 
great,  and  he  had  sufficient  time  to  do  the  job  ef- 
fectually and  well. 

"How  brave  you  are,"  exclaimed  the  old  man, 
admiringly.     "  I  wouldn't  dare  to  touch  him." 

"Nor  I  if  he  were  awake.  I  didn't  think  you 
were  so  strong.     He  went  over  as  if  he  were  shot." 

"Did  he?"  asked  the  old  man,  bewildered.  "I 
don't  know  how  I  did  it.  I  feel  as  weak  as  a  baby 
now." 

"It's  lucky  for  us  you  threw  yourself  upon  him 
as  you  did.  A  little  more  cord,  Mr.  Hayden.  I 
want  to  tie  him  securely.  You'd  better  be  gather- 
ing up  that  gold,  and  putting  it  away  before  he 
comes  to." 

"So  I  will,  so  I  will,"  said  Ben,  hastily. 

Scarcely  was  the  money  put  away  in  its  place  of 
concealment,  when  the  tramp  recovered  from  his  fit 
of  unconsciousness,  and  looked  stupidly  around  him. 
Then  he  tried  to  move,  and  found  himself  ham- 
pered by  his  bonds.  Looking  up,  he  met  the  terri- 
fied gaze  of  old  Ben,  and  the  steady  glance  of  Tony. 
Then  the  real  state  of  the  case  flashed  upon  him, 
and  he  was  filled  with  an  overpowering  rage  at  the 
audacity  of  his  late  charge,  to  whom  he  rightly  at- 
tributed his  present  humiliating  plight. 


74 


CHAPTER    XL 

THE  PRISONER. 

"  Let  me  up!''  roared  Rudolph,  struggling  vigor- 
ously with  the  cords  that  bound  him. 

Ben  was  terrified  by  his  demonstration,  and  had 
half  a  mind  to  comply  -with  his  demand.  But  Tony 
had  his  wits  about  him,  and  felt  that  there  was  no 
safety  in  such  a  course. 

"Don't  you  do  it,  Mr.  Hayden!"  he  exclaimed, 
hastily. 

"What!  young  jackanapes,"  said  the  tramp, 
scowling  fiercely,  "  You  dare  to  give  him  this  ad- 
vice? " 

"  Yes,  I  do,"  said  Tony,  boldly.  "  He  will  be  a 
fool  if  he  releases  you." 

"If  he  don't  Lll  kill  him  and  you  too,"  returned 
Eudolph. 

"  What  shall  I  do?  "  added  Ben,  hopelessly. 

He  turned  for  advice  to  the  boy,  who  was  fifty 
years  his  junior.  Strong  and  resolute  spirits  natu- 
rally assume  the  place  of  leading  at  any  age. 

"  Do  you  know  what  he'll  do  if  you  untie  him?  " 
asked  Tony. 

"  What  will  I  do? "demanded Rudolph. 

' :  You  will  steal  this  old  man's  money.  It  was 
what  you  were  about  to  do  when  you  fell  over 
backwards." 


THE  PRISONER.  75 

"  He  threw  me  over,"  said  the  tramp,  now  gazing 
resentfully  at  Ben. 

" I  didn't  mean  to,"  said  the  terrified  old  man. 

"  You  almost  stunned  me." 

"  I'm  very  sorry,"  stammered  Ben. 

' '  If  you're  very  sorry,  untie  them  cords  and  let 
me  up." 

"I  didn't  tie  you." 

"  Who  did?" 

"The— the  boy." 

"You  dared  to  do  it?  "  exclaimed  Rudolph,  turn- 
ing upon  Tony  with  concentrated  fury. 

"Yes,  I  did,"  said  Tony,  calmly.  "It  was  the 
only  way  to  keep  you  out  of  mischief." 

"Insolent  puppy;  if  I  only  had  my  hands  free  I 
would  strangle  you  both." 

"  You  hear  what  he  says?"  said  Tony,  turning  to 
old  Ben.  "Are  you  in  favor  of  untying  him 
now? " 

"No,  no!"  exclaimed  Ben,  trembling.  "He  is  a 
dreadful  man.     0,  why  did  he  come  here?" 

"  I  came  for  your  gold,  you  fool,  and  I'll  have  it 
yet,"  said  Rudolph,  losing  sight  of  all  considerations 
of  prudence. 

"  What  shall  I  do?  "  asked  the  old  man.  wringing 
his  hands  in  the  excess  of  his  terror. 

"Let  me  up,  and  I  won't  hurt  you,"  said  the 
tramp,  finding  that  he  must  control  his  anger  for 
the  present. 

"  Just  now  you  said  you  would  strangle  the  both 
of  us,  Rudolph." 


76  TOXY,    THE  HERO. 

' '  I'll  strangle  you,  you  cub,  but  I  will  do  no  harm 
to  the  old  man." 

(i  You  will  take  his  gold." 

"No." 

"  Don't  you  trust  him,  Mr.  Hayden,"said  Tony. 
'  He  will  promise  anything  to  get  free,  but  he  will 
forget  all  about  it  when  he  is  unbound." 

"  I'd  like  to  choke  you! "  muttered  Eudolph,  who 
meant  thoroughly  what  he  said. 

"  But  what  shall  I  do,  Tony?  I  can't  have  him 
in  here  all  the  time." 

"I'll  go  and  call  for  help  to  arrest  him,"  said 
Tony. 

"And  leave  me  alone  with  him?"  asked  Ben, 
terrified. 

"  No;  we  will  lock  the  door,  and  you  shall  go  and 
stay  outside  till  I  come  back." 

Tony's  proposal  was  distasteful  to  Eudolph.  He 
had  a  wholesome  dread  of  the  law,  and  didn't  fancy 
the  prospect  of  an  arrest,  especially  as  he  knew  that 
the  testimony  of  Tony  and  the  old  man  would  be 
sufficient  to  insure  him  a  prolonged  term  of  impris- 
onment. He  made  a  fresh  and  violent  struggle 
which  portended  danger  to  his  captors. 

"Come  out  quick,"  said  Tony,  hastily.  "It  is 
not  safe  for  you  to  stay  here  any  longer." 

The  old  man  followed  him  nothing  loth,  and 
Tony  locked  the  door  on  the  outside. 

"Do  you  think  he  will  get  free?"  asked  Ben, 
nervously. 

' '  He  may,  and  if  he  does  there  is  no  safety  for 
either  of  us  till  he  is  caught  again. 


THE   PRISONER.  77 

"The  door  is  locked." 

"  But  he  may  get  out  of  the  window  " 

"  Oh,  my  gold!  my  gold!  "  groaned  Ben.  "He 
may  get  it." 

"  Yes,  he  may;  our  only  hope  is  to  secure  him  as 
soon  as  possible." 

"  I  am  so  weak  I  can't  go  fast.  I  am  trembling 
in  every  limb. " 

"You  must  conceal  yourself  somewhere,  and  let 
me  run  on,"  said  Tony,  with  decision.  "  There  is 
no  time  to  be  lost." 

"  I  don't  know  of  any  place." 

"  Here's  a  place.  You  will  be  safe  here  till  I  come 
for  you." 

Tony  pointed  to  an  old  ruined  shed,  which  they 
had  just  reached. 

"Will  you  be  sure  and  come  for  me." 

"  Yes;  don't  be  alarmed.  Only  don't  show  your- 
self till  you  hear  my  voice." 

Ben  crept  into  the  temporary  shelter,  glad  that  in 
his  weakened  condition  he  should  not  be  obliged  to 
go  any  farther.  To  be  sure  he  tormented  himself 
with  the  thought  that  even  now  the  desperate 
tramp  might  be  robbing  him  of  his  treasures.  Still 
he  had  great  confidence  in  what  Tony  had  told  him, 
and  hope  was  mingled  with  his  terror. 

"  He's  a  brave  boy,"  he  murmured.  "  I  am  glad 
he  was  with  me,  though  he  does  eat  a  sight.  Oh, 
how  many  wicked  men  there  are  in  the  world." 

Tony  hurried  on  to  the  village,  where  he  lost  no 
time  in  arousing  a  sufficient  number  to  effect  the 


73  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

capture  of  the  burglar.  He  no  longer  felt  any 
compunction  in  turning  against  his  quondam  guar- 
dian, recognizing  him  as  his  own  enemy  and  the 
enemy  of  society. 

"I  owe  him  nothing,"  thought  Tony.  "  What 
has  he  ever  done  for  me?  He  is  not  my  father. 
Probably  he  kidnapped  me  from  my  real  home,  and 
has  made  me  an  outcast  and  a  tramp  like  himself. 
But  I  will  be  so  no  longer.  I  will  learn  a  trade,  or 
do  something  else  to  earn  an  honest  livelihood.  I 
mean  to  become  a  respectable  member  of  society,  if 
I  can." 

It  took  him  half  an  hour  before  he  could  rouse 
the  half-dozen  men  whom  he  considered  necessary 
to  effect  the  arrest  and  get  them  under  way. 

Meanwhile  Rudolph  was  not  idle. 

It  may  be  thought  strange  that  he  should  have  so 
much  difficulty  in  freeing  himself  from  the  cords 
with  which  Tony  had  bound  him.  But  it  must  be 
remembered  that  the  boy  had  done  his  work  well. 
The  cord  was  stout  and  strong,  and  he  had  had  time 
to  tie  it  in  many  knots,  so  that  even  if  one  had  been 
untied,  the  tramp  would  have  found  himself  almost 
as  far  from  liberty  as  ever. 

After  he  had  been  locked  in,  Eudolph  set  about 
energetically  to  obtain  release.  He  succeeded  in 
raising  himself  to  his  feet,  but  as  his  ankles  were 
tied  together  this  did  not  do  him  much  good.  By 
main  strength  he  tried  to  break  the  cords,  but  the 
only  result  was  to  chafe  his  wrists. 

"  What   a  fool  I  am,"  he  exclaimed  at  length. 


Tflk  *?fcISONER.  79 

"The  old  nian  must  have  some  table-kDives  about 
somewhere.     With  these  I  can  cut  the  cords." 

It  was  not  till  some  time  had  elapsed,  however, 
that  this  very  obvious  thought  came  to  him.  Fur- 
ther time  was  consumed  in  finding  the  knives. 
When  found,  they — there  were  two — proved  so  dull 
that  even  if  he  had  had  free  use  of  one  of  his  hands 
it  would  not  have  been  found  easy  to  make  them  of 
service.  But  when  added  to  this  was  the  embar- 
rassment of  his  fettered  hands,  it  will  not  excite 
surprise  that  it  required  a  long  time  to  sever  the 
tough  cords  which  bound  him.  But  success  came 
at  length. 

His  arms  were  free,  and  he  stretched  th^m  with 
exultation. 

His  ankles  next  demanded  attention,  but  this  was 
a  much  easier  task. 

"Now  for  revenge!"  thought  the  tramp.  "The 
boy  shall  rue  this  night's  task,  or  my  name  is  not 
Rudolph." 

Whatever  else  he  might  do,  he  must  secure  the 
miser's  gold.     He  had  seen  the   hiding-place. 

He  removed  the  plank,  and  there,  beneath  him, 
visible  in  the  moonlight,  lay  the  much-coveted  bags 
of  golden  treasure. 

He  rose  from  the  floor,  and,  with  the  bags  in  his 
hand,  jumped  out  of  the  still  opened  window. 

But  he  was  too  late.  Two  strong  men  seized  him, 
each  by  an  arm,  and  said,  sternly : 

"You  are  our  prisoner." 


Tony  set  to  work  with  rapid  bands  to  tie  the  prostrate  tramp  hatfK 
and  foot.— (See  page  73.)  8° 


TONY  STARTS  OUT  ONCE  MOTE.  81 


CHAPTER  XII. 

TONY   STARTS   OUT   ONCE   MORE. 

It  was  not  until  after  Rudolph's  seizure  that  Ben, 
who  had  followed  the  extemporized  police,  discov- 
ered the  bags  of  gold  in  the  hands  of  the  tramp. 

"Give  me  my  money!"  he  shrieked,  in  excite- 
ment and  anguish.     "  Don't  let  him  carry  it  off  " 

"It's  safe,  Ben,"  said  one  of  the  captors.  "  But 
who  would  have  supposed  you  had  so  much  money?  ' 

"  It  isn't  much,"  faltered  the  old  man. 

"  The  bags  are  pretty  heavy,"  was  the  significant 
rejoinder.  "Will  you  take  two  Hundred  dollars 
apiece  for  them? " 

"No,"  said  the  old  man,  embarrassed. 

"Then  it  seems  there  is  considerable  after  all. 
But  never  mind.  Take  them,  and  take  better  care 
of  them  hereafter." 

Ben  advanced  with  as  much  alacrity  as  he  could 
summon  in  his  weakness,  and  stooped  to  pick  up 
the  bags.  He  had  got  hold  of  them  when  the 
tramp,  whose  feet  were  unconfined,  aimed  a  kick  at 
him  which  completely  upset  him. 

Even  though  he  feU,  however,  he  did  not  lose  his 
grip  of  the  bags,  but  clung  to  them  while  crying 
with  pain. 

"Take  that,  you  old  fool!"  muttered  the  tramp. 
"  It's  the  first  instalment  of  the  debt  I  owe  you/" 


82  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"  Take  him  away,  take  him  away  !  He  will  mur- 
der me! "  exclaimed  old  Ben,  in  terror. 

"  Come  along.  You've  done  mischief  enough," 
said  his  captors,  sternly,  forcing  the  tramp  along. 

"Fll  do  more  yet,"  muttered  Budolph. 

He  turned  to  Tony,  who  stood  at  a  little  distance 
watching  the  fate  of  his  quondam  companion. 

"  I've  got  a  score  to  settle  with  you,  young  traitor. 
The  day  will  come  for  that  yet." 

"  I'm  sorry  for  you,  Budolph,"  said  Tony;  "but 
you  brought  it  on  yourself." 

"  Bah  !  you  hypocrite!  "  retorted  the  tramp.  "I 
don't  want  any  of  your  sorrow.  It  won't  save  you 
when  the  day  of  reckoning  comes." 

He  was  not  allowed  to  say  more,  but  was  hurried 
away  to  the  village  lockup  for  detention  until  he 
could  be  conveyed  to  more  permanent  quarters. 

Doctor  Compton  was  among  the  party  who  had 
been  summoned  by  Tony.  He  lingered  behind,  and 
took  Ben  apart. 

"Mr.  Hay  den,"  he  said,  "I  want  to  give  you  a 
piece  of  advice." 

"  What  is  it? "  asked  the  old  man. 

"Don't  keep  this  gold  in  your  house.  It  isn't 
safe." 

"Who  do  you  think  will  take  it?"  asked  Ben, 
with  a  scared  look. 

"None  of  those  here  this  morning,  unless  this 
tramp  should  escape  from  custody." 

"  Do  you  think  he  will  ?"  asked  the  old  man,  in 
terror. 


TONY   STARTS   OUT   ONCE   MORE.  83 

"  I  think  not;  but  lie  may." 

"  If  he  don't,  what  danger  is  there? " 

"  It  will  get  about  that  you  have  money  secreted 
here,  and  I  venture  to  say  it  will  be  stolen  before 
three  months  are  over. " 

"  It  will  kill  me,"  said  Ben,  piteously. 

"  Then  put  it  out  of  reach  of  danger." 

"  Where?" 

"  I  am  going  over  to  the  county  town,  where  there 
is  a  bank.  Deposit  it  there,  and  whenever  you 
want  any,  go  and  get  it." 

"But  banks  break  sometimes,"  said  Ben,  in 
alarm. 

"This  is  an  old,  established  institution.  You 
need  not  be  afraid  of  it.  Even  if  there  is  some 
danger,  there  is  far  less  than  here." 

"But  I  can't  see  the  money — I  can't  count  it," 
objected  Ben. 

"You  can  see  the  deposit  record  in  a  book.  Even 
if  that  doesn't  suit  you  as  well,  you  can  sleep  com- 
fortably, knowing  that  you  are  not  liable  to  be 
attacked  and  murdered  by  burglars." 

The  old  man  vacillated,  but  finally  yielded  to  the 
force  of  the  doctor's  reasoning.  A  day  or  two  later 
he  rode  over  to  the  neighboring  town,  and  saw  his 
precious  gold  deposited  in  the  vaults  of  the  bank. 
He  heaved  a  sigh  as  it  was  locked  up,  but  on  the 
whole  was  tolerably  reconciled  to  the  step  he  had 
taken. 

We  are  anticipating,  however. 

When  the  confusion  incident  to  the  arrest  was 
over,  Tony  came  forward. 


84:  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"Mr.  Hayden,"  he  said,  "you  are  so  much  better 
that  I  think  you  can  spare  me  now." 

"But,"  said  the  old  man,  startled  at  the  boy's 
question,  "suppose  Rudolph  comes  back." 

' '  I  don't  think  he  can.     He  will  be  put  in  prison." 

"  I  suppose  he  will.     What  a  bold,  bad  man." 

"  Yes,  he  is  a  bad  man,  but  I  am  sorry  for  him. 
I  don't  like  to  think  of  one  I  have  been  with 
so  long  in  the  walls  of  a  prison.  I  suppose  it 
can't  be  helped,  though." 

"  How  did  you  come  to  be  with  him?"  asked  the 
old  man,  in  a  tone  of  interest. 

"  I  don't  know.  I  have  been  with  him  as  long  as 
I  can  remember.  You  used  to  know  him,  didn't 
you?" 

' l  A  little, "  said  the  old  man,  hastily. 

"Where  was  it?" 

"In  England — long  ago." 

" In  England.  Was  he  born  in  England?"  asked 
Tony,  in  surprise. 

"Yes." 

"And  you,  too?" 

"Yes,  I  am  an  Englishman." 

"Do  you  think  I  am  English, too?"  asked  the  boy, 
eagerly. 

"I  think  so;  yes,  I  think  so,"  answered  Ben,  cau- 
tiously. 

' '  Have  you  any  idea  who  I  am — who  were  my 
parents?" 

"No,  I  don't  know/*  said  Ben,  slowly. 

"  Can  you  guess? " 


TONY   STARTS   OUT   ONCE   MORE.  85 

"Don't  trouble  me  now,"  said  Ben,  peevishly. 
"  I  am  not  well.  My  head  is  confused.  Some  day 
I  will  think  it  over  and  tell  you  what  I  know." 

"  But  if  I  am  not  here? " 

"  I  will  write  it  down  and  give  it  to  the  doctor." 

"That  will  do,"  said  Tony.  "I  know  he  will 
keep  it  for  me,     Now,  good-by." 

"  Are  you  going? " 

"  Yes,  I  have  my  own  way  to  make  in  the  world. 
I  can't  live  on  you  any  longer. " 

"  To  be  sure  not,"  said  Ben,  hastily.  "  I  am  too 
poor  to  feed  two  persons,  and  you  have  a  very 
large  appetite." 

"  Yes,"  said  Tony,  laughing,  "I  believe  I  have  a 
healthy  appetite.     I'm  growing,  you  know." 

"It  must  be  that,"  said  old  Ben,  with  the  air  of 
one  to  whom  a  mystery  had  just  been  made  clear. 
"  What  is  your  name? " 

"Tony,"  answered  our  hero,  in  surprise  at  the 
question. 

"  No.     I  mean  your  full  name." 

"  That  is  more  than  I  know.  I  have  always  been 
called  Tony,  or  Tony  the  Tramp.  Rudolph's  last 
name  is  Rugg,  and  he  pretends  that  I  am  his  son- 
If  I  were,  I  should  be  Tony  Rugg." 

"You  are  not  his  son.     He  never  had  any  son." 

"I  am  glad  to  hear  that.  I  shan't  have  to  say 
now  that  my  father  is  in  jail  for  robbery.  Good- 
by,  Mr.  Hay  den." 

"Good-by,"  said  Ben,  following  the  boy  thought- 
fully with  his  eyes  till  he  had  disappeared  round  a 
turn  in  the  road. 


86  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"  Well,"  thought  Tony,  "I've  set  up  for  myself 
now  in  earnest.  Kuciolph  can't  pursue  me,  and 
there  is  no  one  else  to  interfere  with  me.  I  must 
see  what  fortune  waits  me  in  the  great  world. 

With  a  light  heart,  and  a  pocket  still  lighter, 
Tony  walked  on  for  several  miles.  Then  he  stopped 
at  a  country  grocery  store,  and  bought  five  cents 
worth  of  crackers.  These  he  ate  with  a  good  appe- 
tite, slaking  his  thirst  at  a  wayside  spring. 

He  was  lying  carelessly  on  the  green  sward,  when 
a  tin  peddler's  cart  drove  slowly  along  the  road. 

"  Hallo,  there! "  said  the  peddler. 

"Hallo!"  said  Tony. 

"Are  you travelin'? " 

"Yes." 

"Do  you  want  a  lift?" 

"Yes,"  said  Tony,  with  alacrity. 

"Then  get  up  here.  There's  room  enough  for 
both  of  us,  You  can  hold  the  reins  when  I  stop 
anywhere." 

"It's  a  bargain,"  said  Tony. 

"  Are  you  travelin'  for  pleasure?"  asked  the  ped- 
dler, who  was  gifted  with  his  share  of  curiosity. 

"  On  business,"  said  Tony. 

"'What  is  your  business  ?  You're  too  young  for 
an  agent." 

"  I  want  to  find  work,"  said  Tony. 

"  You're  a  good,  stout  youngster.  You'd  ought 
to  get  something  to  do." 

"So  I  think,"  said  Tony. 

"  Ever  worked  any? " 


TONY  GETS  A  PLACE.  87 

"No." 

"Got  any  folks?" 

"If  you  mean  wife  and  children,  I  haven't,"  an- 
swered our  hero,  with  a  smile. 

"Ho,  ho!  "  laughed  the  peddler.  "I  guess  not. 
I  mean  father  or  mother,  uncles  or  aunts,  and  such 
like." 

"  No,  I  am  alone  in  the  world." 

"  Sho  !  you  don't  say  so.  Well,  that's  a  pity. 
Why,  I've  got  forty- 'leven  cousins  and  a  mother- 
in-law  to  boot.    I'll  sell  her  cheap." 

"Never  mind!"  said  Tony.  "I  won't  deprive 
you  of  her." 

"  I'll  tell  you  what,"  said  the  peddler,  "  I  feel  in- 
terested in  you.  I'll  take  you  round  with  me  for  a 
day  or  two,  and  maybe  I  can  get  you  a  place. 
What  do  you  say?" 

"  Yes,  and  thank  you,"  said  Tony. 

"  Then  it's  settled.     Gee  up,  Dobbin! " 


4- 


88  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

TONY   GETS   A   PLACE. 


Toward  the  close  of  the  next  day  the  tin-peddler 
halted  in  front  of  a  country  tavern,  situated  in  a 
village  of  moderate  size. 

ffFm  going  to  stay  here  over  night,"  he  said. 

"Maybe  they'll  let  me  sleep  in  the  barn,"  said 
Tony. 

"In  the  barn!    Why  not  in  the  house  ? " 

"I  haven't  got  any  money,  you  know,  Mr.  Bick- 
ford." 

"  What's  the  odds  ?  They  won't  charge  anything 
extra  for  you  to  sleep  with  me. " 

"You're  very  kind,  Mr.  Bickford,  but  they  won't 
keep  me  for  nothing,  and  I  don't  want  you  to  pay 
for  me." 

At  this  moment  the  landlord  came  out  on  the  pi- 
azza, and  asked  the  hostler: 

"Where's  Sam  ?" 

"  Gone  home — says  he's  sick,"  answered  James. 

"Drat  that  boy!  It's  my  opinion  he  was  born 
lazy.     That's  what's  the  matter  with  him.'' 

"I  guess  you're  right,  Mr.  Porter,"  said  James. 
"  The  boy  don't  earn  his  salt." 

"I  wouldn't  take  him  back  if  I  had  anybody  to 
take  his  place." 

"Do  you  hear  that,  Tony?"  said  the  peddler, 
nudging  our  hero. 


TONY  GETS   A  PLACE.  89 

Tony  was  quick  to  take  the  hint. 

He  walked  to  the  landlord,  and  said: 

"I'll  take  his  place." 

' '  Who  are  you  ? "  asked  the  landlord,  in  surprise. 
"  I  never  saw  you  before." 

"I  have  just  come,"  said  Tony.  "I  am  looking 
for  a  place." 

"  What  can  you  do  ? " 

"  Anything  you  want  me  to  do." 

"  Have  you  any  references  ? " 

"I  can  refer  to  him,"  said  Tony,  pointing  to  the 
tin  peddler." 

"Oh,  Mr.  Bickford,"  said  the  landlord,  with  a 
glance  of  recognition.  "Well,  that's  enough.  I'll 
take  you.  James,  take  this  boy  to  the  kitchen,  and 
give  him  some  supper.  Then  tell  him  what's  to  be 
done.     What's  your  name,  boy  ? " 

"TonyEugg." 

"Very  well,  Tony,  I'll  give  you  three  doUars  a 
week  and  your  board  as  long  as  we  suit  each  other." 

"I've  got  into  business  sooner  than  I  expected," 
thought  Tony." 

The  hostler  set  him  to  work  in  the  barn,  and 
though  he  was  new  to  the  work,  he  quickly  under- 
stood what  was  wanted,  and  did  it. 

"You  work  twice  as  fast  as  Sam,"  said  the  host- 
ler, approvingly. 

' '  Won't  Sam  be  mad  when  he  finds  I  have  taken 
his  place  ? "  asked  Tony. 

"Probably  he  will,  but  it's  his  own  fault." 

"Not  if  he's  sick." 


90  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"  He?s  no  more  sick  than  I  am.  He  only  wants  to 
get  a  day  or  two  off. 

"Well,  I'm  glad  he  left  a  vacancy  for  me,"  said 
Tony. 

"  Where  did  you  work  last  ? "  asked  the  hostler. 

"Nowhere." 

"  Never  worked  ?    Then  how  did  you  live  ? " 

"  I  traveled  with  my  guardian." 

"  Were  you  rich  ?"  asked  James,  rather  impressed 
by  Tony's  answer. 

"No;  I  just  went  round  and  lived  as  I  could.  I 
didn't  like  it,  but  I  couldn't  help  it.  I  had  to  go 
where  Rudolph  chose  to  lead  me." 

"Where  is  he  now  ? " 

"I  don't  know.  I  got  tired  of  being  a  tramp,  and 
ran  away  from  him. 

"You  did  right,"  said  James,  who  was  a  steady 
man,  and  looked  forward  to  a  snug  home  of  his 
own  ere  long.  "All  the  same,  Mr.  Porter  wouldn't 
have  taken  you  if  he  had  known  you  were  a 
tramp." 

' '  I  hope  you  won't  tell  him,  then.  I  don't  want 
to  be  a  tramp  any  longer." 

"No;  I  won't  tell  him.  I  want  you  to  stay  here. 
I'd  rather  have  you  than  Sam." 

' '  Thank  you.     I'll  try  to  suit. " 

Tony  was  assigned  to  a  room  in  the  attic.  There 
were  two  beds  in  this  chamber,  one  being  occupied 
by  James.  He  slept  soundly,  and  was  up  betimes 
in  the  morning.  After  breakfast,  Mr.  Bickford,  the 
tin  peddler,  made  ready  to  start. 


TONY   GETS  A  PLACE.  91 


{ Good-by,  Tony/'  he  said,  in  a  friendly  manner. 

I'm  glad  you've  got  a  place." 

"I  wouldn't  have  got  it  if  I  hadn't  you  to  refer 
to,"  said  Tony. 

"The  landlord  didn't  ask  how  long  I'd  known 
you, "  said  Bickf  ord,  smiling.  ' '  However,  I  guess  I 
know  enough  of  }'ou  to  give  you  a  recommend. 
Good  luck  to  you." 

As  the  peddler  drove  away,  Tony  noticed  a  big, 
overgrown  boy,  who  was  just  entering  the  hotel 
yard. 

"  That's  Sam,"  said  the  hostler.  "He  don't  know 
he's  lost  his  place." 


92  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTEE  XIV. 

TONY'S  RIVAL, 

Sam  was  about  two  inches  taller  than  Tony,  red 
haired  and  freckled,  with  a  big  frame,  loosely  put 
together.  He  was  a  born  bully;  and  many  were 
the  tricks  he  had  played  on  smaller  boys  in  the  vil- 
lage. He  liked  his  place  at  the  hotel  because  he 
was  no  longer  obliged  to  go  to  school;  but  he  was 
too  lazy  to  fulfill  the  duties  satisfactorily.  His 
father  was  a  blacksmith,  of  surly  disposition,  very 
much  like  Sanfs,  who  was  generally  believed  to  ill- 
treat  his  wife,  a  meek,  uncomplaining  woman,  who 
filled  the  position  of  a  household  drudge. 

Sam  strutted  into  the  yard  with  the  air  of  a  pro- 
prietor. He  took  no  particular  notice  of  Tony,  but 
accosted  James.  The  latter  made  a  signal  to  Tony 
to  be  silent. 

"Well,  have  you  just  got  along?"  asked  the 
hostler. 

"  Ye-es,"  drawled  Sam. 

"  What  made  you  go  home  yesterday  afternoon, 
and  not  come  back?  " 

"  I  didn't  feel  well,"  said  Sam,  nonchalantly. 

"  What  was  the  matter  with  you?" 

"  I  had  a  sort  of  headache." 

' '  Do  you  think  Mr.  Porter  can  afford  to  pay  you 


TONY'S  RIVAL.  93 

wages  and  let  you  go  home  three  times  a  week  in 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon?  " 

"I  couldn't  work  when  I  was  sick  of  course," 
said  Sam. 

"You're  mighty  delicate,  getting  sick  two  or 
three  times  a  week." 

"  Couldn't  help  it,"  said  Sam,  unconcerned. 

"I  suppose  you  have  come  to  work  this  morn- 
ing? " 

■ '  Ye-es,  but  I  can't  work  very  hard — I  ain't  quite 
got  over  my  headache. " 

"  Then  you'll  be  glad  to  hear  that  you  won't  have 
to  work  at  all. " 

"Ain't  there  anything  to  do?"  asked  Sam,  with 
an  air  of  relief. 

"  Yes,  there's  plenty  to  do,  but  your  services  ain't 
required.     You're  discharged!  " 

"What!"  exclaimed  Sam,  his  eyes  lighting  up 
with  anger? 

"  Mr.  Porter's  got  tired  of  your  delicate  health;  it 
interferes  too  much  with  business.  He's  got  a 
tougher  boy  to  take  your  place." 

"Where  is  he?"  demanded  Sam,  with  an  ominous 
frown. 

"There,"  answered  the  hostler,  pointing  out  our 
hero,  who  stood  quietty  listening  to  the  conversa- 
tion. 

Sam  regarded  Tony  with  a  contemptuous  scowl. 
So  this  was  the  boy  who  had  superseded  him.  He 
hated  him  already  for  his  presumption  in  venturing 
to  take  his  place. 


94  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"  Who  are  you?  "  he  demanded,  roughly. 

1 'Your  successor,"  answered  Tony,  coolly. 

He  knew  that  his  answer  would  make  Sam  ver^ 
angry,  but  he  was  not  afraid  of  him,  and  felt  under 
no  particular  obligations  to  be  polite. 

"You  won't  be  my  successor  long,"  retorted 
Sam. 

"Why  not?" 

"What  business  had  you  to  take  my  place? " 

"The  landlord  hired  me." 

"  I  don't  care  if  he  did.     He  hired  me  first." 

"  Then  you'd  better  go  to  him  and  complain 
about  it.     It's  none  of  my  business " 

"  It's  my  business,"  said  Sam,  with  emphasis. 

"Just  as  you  like." 

"  Will  you  give  up  the  place?" 

"  No,"  said  Tony.  "  You  must  think  I'm  a  fool. 
What  should  I  give  it  up  for? " 

"Because  it  belongs  to  me." 

"I  don't  see  that;  I  suppose  Mr.  Porter  has  a 
right  to  hire  anybody  he  likes." 

" He  had  no  right  to  give  you  my  place." 

"That's  his  business.  What  shall  I  do  next, 
James?" 

"  Go  to  the  barn  and  shake  down  some  hay  for 
the  horses." 

"All  right." 

Sam  walked  off,  deeply  incensed,  muttering 
threats  of  vengeance  against  Tony. 

Three  days  later  a  boy  entered  the  stable,  and 
calling  for  Tony,  presented  the  following  missive: 


"If  you  ain't  a  coward,  meet  me  to-morrow 
night  at  seven  o'clock,  back  of  the  school  house, 
and  we'll  settle,  by  righting,  which  shall  have  the 
place,  you  or  I.  If  you  get  whipped,  you  must 
clear  out,  and  leave  it  to  me. 

"Sam  Payson." 

Tony  showed  the  note  to  the  hostler. 

"  Well,  Tony,  what  are  }^ou  going  to  do  about  it? ' 
asked  James,  curiously. 

"I'll  be  on  hand,"  said  Tony,  promptly.  "He 
won't  find  it  so  easy  to  whip  me  as  he  thinks.7' 


96  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTEE  XV. 

THE     BOYS'      DUEL. 

Sam  Payson  felt  perfectly  safe  in  challenging 
Tony  to  single  combat.  He  had  measured  him  with 
his  eye,  and  seen  that  he  was  two  inches  shorter, 
and  probably  twenty  pounds  lighter.  But  appear- 
ances were  deceitful,  and  he  had  no  idea  that  Tony 
had  received  special  training,  which  he  lacked. 

This  was  the  way  it  had  happened : 

In  the  course  of  his  extensive  wanderings,  Tony 
had  attracted  the  attention  of  a  certain  pugilist  who 
was  a  friend  of  Eudolph. 

"I'll  tell  you  what,  Eudolph,"  said  the  pugilist, 
"  you  can  make  something  of  that  boy." 

"How?"  asked  the  tramp. 

' '  I'll  teach  him  to  box,  and  you  can  get  an  engage- 
ment for  him  in  a  circus." 

"  Do  it  if  you  like,"  said  the  tramp.  "  It  won't  do 
him  any  harm." 

"  So  Tony  received  a  gratuitous  course  of  lessons 
in  boxing,  which  were  at  last  interrupted  by  a  little 
difficulty  between  his  teacher  and  the  officers  of  the 
law,  resulting  in  the  temporary  confinement  of  the 
former.  The  lessons  were  never  resumed,  but  they 
had  gone  so  far  that  Tony  was  quite  a  skillful  boxer 
for  a  boy. 


THE  boys'  duel.  97 

He,  too,  had  measured  Sam,  and  felt  quite  sure 
of  being  able  to  conquer  him,  and  that  with  ease. 
He  did  not,  however,  mention  the  grounds  of  his 
confidence  to  James,  when  the  latter  expressed 
some  apprehension  that  he  would  find  Sam  too 
much  for  him. 

"Don't  be  alarmed,  James,"  said  Tony,  quietly. 
"  I'm  enough  for  him.'3 

"  He's  bigger  than  you,1'  said  James. 

"I  know  that,  but  he's  clumsy." 

"  He's  slow,  but  he's  pretty  strong." 

"So  anil." 

"You've  got  pluck,  and  you  deserve  to  beat, 
Tony,"  said  his  friend. 

' '  I  mean  to, "  answered  Tony.  "  Come  along  and 
see  that  it's  all  fair." 

' £  I  will  if  I  can  get  away.  Will  you  give  up  your 
place  if  you  are  licked?" 

"Yes,"  replied  Tony,  "I'll  give  up  my  place  and 
leave  the  village." 

"I  don't  believe  Mr.  Porter  will  take  Sam  back." 

"  I  see  you  are  expecting  I  will  be  whipped,"  said 
Tony,  laughing;  "  but  you're  mistaken.  Sam  isn't 
able  to  do  it. " 

James  feared  that  Tony  overestimated  his  prow- 
ess, but  earnestly  hoped  that  the  boy,  in  whom  he 
already  felt  a  strong  interest,  would  achieve  the 
victory. 

Meanwhile,  Sam  had  made  known  the  duel  which 
was  about  to  take  place.  He  confidently  antici- 
pated victory,  and  wanted  the  village  boys  to   be 


98  TO^vY,    THE     HERO. 

witnesses  of  the  manner  in  which  he  was  going  to 
polish  off  that  interloper. 

"I'll  learn  him  to  cut  me  out  of  my  place," 
he  said,  boastfully;  "I'll  learn  him  to  mind  his 
own  business. " 

"  Will  you  get  your  place  again  if  you  lick  him? " 
asked  one  of  his  companions. 

"  Of  course  I  will." 

"  Suppose  he  won't  give  it  up?" 

"Then  I'll  lick  him  every  day  till  he's  glad  to 
clear  out.  All  you  boys  know  I  don't  stand  no  non- 
sense." 

The  result  of  Sam's  boastful  talk  was  that  about 
a  hundred  boys  collected  about  the  school  house  to 
witness  the  boys'  duel. 

Many  of  them  who  had  suffered  from  Sam's 
bullying  disposition  would  have  been  glad  to  see 
him  worsted,  but  none  anticipated  it. 

Nothing  was  known  of  Tony  except  that  he  was 
considerably  smaller  and  lighter,  and  probably 
weaker.  It  was  generally  thought  that  he  would 
not  be  able  to  hold  out  long,  and  that  Sam  would 
achieve  an  easy  victory. 

Tony  tried  to  be  on  hand  at  the  time  appointed, 
but  he  had  more  than  usual  to  do,  and  it  was  five 
minutes  past  seven  when  he  entered  the  field,  ac- 
companied by  James. 

There  had  been  various  speculations  as  to  the 
cause  of  his  delay. 

"He  won't  come,"  said  Sam,  with  a  sneer;  he's 
afraid." 


THE  BOYS'   DUEL.  99 

"  What '11  you  do  if  he  don't  come?"    asked  John 
Nolan. 

"  What  will  I  do?  I'll  pitch  into  him  wherever  I 
see  him." 

"Didn't  he  accept  your  challenge?" 

"  Yes,  he  accejDted,  hut  he's  thought  better  of  it, 
likely." 

"There  he  comes!  "  shouted  a  small  boy. 
All  eyes  were  turned  upon  Tony,  as  he  entered 
the  field,  with  James  at  his  side. 

"I'm  sorry  to  have  kept  you  waiting,  boys,"  said 
our  hero,  politely. 

"We  concluded  you'd  backed  out,"  said  Sam, 
with  a  sneer. 

"That  isn't  my  style,"  returned  Tony,  with  a 
quiet  smile.  "I  had  more  to  do  than  usual  to- 
night." 

"You've  still  more  to  do,"  said  Sam,  jeeringiy. 
"  I  pity  you." 

"Do  you?  You're  very  kind,"  said  Tony,  un- 
moved. 

"  Oh,  don't  thank  me  too  soon? " 

"Then  I  won't.  When  are  the  exercises  to  com- 
mence?" 

"  He  takes  it  cool,"  said  Nolan. 

"Oh,  it's  only  show  off,"  said  Sam.  "You'll  see 
how  he'll  wilt  down  when  I  get  hold  of  him." 

The  two  boys  stripped  off  coat  and  vest,  and 
faced  each  other.  Tony  was  wary  and  watchful, 
and  quietly  looked  into  the  eyes  of  his  adversary, 
showing  no  disposition  to  begin. 


100  TOXY,    THE  HERO. 

Sam  began  business  by  thrusting  his  right  fist 
violently  in  his  face,  or  rather  trying  to  do  so. 
With  scarcely  an  effort  Tony  parried  the  blow,  and 
returned  it  quick  as  lightning,  striking  Sam  full  in 
the  nose. 

Sam  was  not  only  maddened,  but  disagreeably 
surprised,  especially  when  he  discovered  that  blood 
was  trickling  from  the  injured  organ.  He  was  still 
more  incensed  by  the  murmur  of  applause  which 
followed  from  the  crowd  of  boys.  Had  the  ap- 
plause been  elicited  by  his  success,  he  would  have 
enjoyed  it,  but  now  it  was  quite  a  different  matter.. 

He  breathed  an  audible  curse,  and,  losing  all  pru- 
dence, began  to  let  drive  at  Tony  with  each  fist  in 
rapid  succession,  with  the  intention  of  overpower- 
ing him.  But,  unfortunately  for  him,  this  exposed 
him  to  attack,  and  a  couple  of  forcible  blows  in  his 
face  warned  him  that  this  was  too  dangerous. 

Tony  stood  upright,  as  cool  and  collected  as  at 
first.  He  had  warded  off  every  blow  of  his  adver- 
sary, and  thus  far  was  untouched. 

There  was  a  murmur  of  surprise  among  the  boys. 
They  had  come  to  see  Tony  used  up,  and  all  the 
using  up  had  proved  to  be  from  the  other  side. 
James  was  as  much  delighted  as  surprised.  He 
could  not  repress  clapping  his  hands,  a  movement 
which  was  quickly  imitated  by  the  boys. 

"Tony  knows  how  to  take  care  of  kimceif," 
he  thought.  "That's  why  he  took  matters  so 
coolly.  I  didn't  half  believe  him  when  he  told  me 
there  was  no  danger." 


THE   BOYS'   DUEL.  101 

Sam  felt  humiliated  and  maddened.  He  regretted 
now  that  he  had  undertaken  a  task  which  seemed 
every  moment  more  formidable.  What!  was  it  pos- 
sible that  he,  Sam  Payson,  the  crack  fighter  of  the 
village,  was  being  ignominiously  whipped,  and  that 
by  a  smaller  boy.  He  felt  that  if  he  permitted  this 
his  prestige  would  be  forever  gone,  and  with  it  the 
influence  which  he  so  much  prized.  He  must  make 
one  desperate  effort. 

"If  I  can  only  get  hold  of1  him,"  he  thought,  'I , 
can  shake  the  life  out  of  him." 

He  tried  to  grasp  Tony  round  the  body,  intending 
to  throw  him  violently  down  upon  the  ground;  but 
our  hero  was  too  quick  for  him,  and  showered  the 
blows  upon  him  with  such  rapidity  that,  blinded 
and  overwhelmed,  Sam  himself  fell  on  his  back. 

Instead  of  following  up  the  victory,  Tony  drew 
off  and  let  his  adversary  rise.  Sam  renewed  the  at- 
tack so  wildly  that  in  two  minutes  he  was  again 
lying  flat. 

"That's  enough,  Sam!  You're  whipped, "  shouted 
the  boys. 

But  Sam  was  not  convinced.  He  renewed  the  at- 
tacked once  more,  but  there  was  no  hope  for  him 
now. 

He  got  up  sullenly,  and,  in  a  voice  nearly  choked 
with  rage,  said: 

"111  be  even  with  you  yet,  see  if  I  don't." 

"Hurrah  for  the  stranger!  "  shouted  the  boys  en- 
thusiastically, as  they  crowded  around  our  hero. 

"Boys,"  said  Tony,  modestly,  "I'm  much  obliged 


102  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

to  you  for  your  congratulations.  Was  it  a  fair 
fight?" 

"Yes,  yes." 

"  Then's  it  all  right.  Don't  say  anything  to  him 
about  it.  He  feels  bad,  as  I  should  do  in  his  place. 
I  haven't  any  ill  will  toward  him,  and  I  hope  he 
hasn't  toward  me. " 

This  speech  made  Tony  a  still  greater  favorite 
and  the  boys,  making  a  rush,  took  him  on  their 
shoulders,  and  bore  him  in  triumph  to  the  inn.  Poor 
Sam  slunk  home,  suffering  keener  mortification 
than  he  had  ever  before  experienced  in  his  life. 


RUDOLPH  ESCAPES.  10b 


CHAPTEE  XVI. 

RUDOLPH     ESCAPES     AND    SEES    AN     ADVERTISEMENT. 

Leaving  Tony  for  a  short  time,  we  must  return 
to  Rudolph,  whom  we  left  in  charge  of  a  self-consti- 
tuted body  of  police  on  his  way  to  the  station- 
house. 

Of  course  there  was  no  regular  prison  in  the  vil- 
lage. There  was  not  properly  even  a  station-house. 
But  under  the  engine  house  was  a  basement  room, 
which  was  used  as  a  lock-up.  It  was  not  often  used, 
for  few  rogues  of  a  serious  character  disturbed  the 
tranquility  of  the  village.  Occasionally  a  man 
was  put  in  who  had  disturbed  the  peace  while  under 
the  influence  of  liquor,  but  even  such  cases  were 
rare. 

When  first  arrested  Eudolph  was  disposed  to  be 
violent  and  abusive.  His  disappointment  was  keen, 
for  he  was  just  congratulating  himself  on  the  pos- 
session of  the  miser's  gold.  Five  minutes  later, 
and  he  would  probably  have  been  able  to  make  good 
his  escape.  Mingled  with  his  disappointment  was  a 
f eeling  of  intense  hostility  against  Tony  for  his  part 
in  defeating  his  plans. 

"I'll  be  revenged  upon  him  yet,"  he  muttered  be- 
tween his  teeth. 

"  What  did  you  say?"  asked  one  of  his  captors. 

"  Nothing,"  answered  Rudolph. 


104:  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"I  thought  I  heard  you  say  something. " 

"1  said  I  was  tired." 

"  Then  you  will  have  a  chance  to  rest  in  the  lock- 
up." 

Eudolph  frowned,  but  said  nothing. 

They  reached  the  lockup.  The  door  was  opened, 
and  he  was  led  in.  A  small  oil  lamp  was  lighted, 
and  set  on  the  floor. 

"  Where  are  the  handcuffs?"  asked  one  of  the 
captors. 

"  I  don't  know.  They  haven't  been  needed  for 
so  long  that  they  have  been  mislaid." 

"  They  won't  be  needed  now.  The  man  can't  get 
out." 

Eudolph's  face  betrayed  satisfaction,  but  he 
thought  it  prudent  to  say  nothing. 

"There's  your  bed, "  says  Moses  Hunt,  who  had 
Eudolph  by  the  arm,  pointing  to  a  rude  cot  in  the 
corner. 

Eudolph  threw  himself  upon  it. 

"  I'm  dead  tired,"  he  said,  and  closed  his  eyes. 

"  He'll  be  quiet  enough.  We  can  leave  him 
alone,"  said  Hunt. 

"All  right." 

The  door  was  locked,  and  Eudolph  was  left  alone. 

When  fiYe  minutes  had  elapsed — time  enough  for 
his  captors  to  get  away — he  rose  in  bed,  and  looked 
about  him. 

Beside  the  bed  in  which  he  was  lying  there  was  no 
other  furniture  in  the  room  than  a  wooden  chair. 

He  got  up  and  walked  about. 


RUDOLPH  ESCAPES.  105 

"I  must  get  away  from  this  if  I  can,"' thought 
the  tramp,  "  and  before  morning.  I  am  glad  they 
didn't  put  on  handcuffs.  Let  me  see,  how  shall  I 
manage  it." 

He  looked  about  him  thoughtfully. 

It  was  a  basement  room,  lighted  only  by  windows 
three  feet  wide  and  a  foot  high  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  room. 

"I  should  like  to  set  fire  to  the  building,  and 
burn  it  up,"  thought  the  tramp.  "  That  w^ould  cost 
them  something.  But  it  wouldn't  be  safe.  Like  as 
not  I  would  be  burnt  up  myself,  or,  at  any  rate,  be 
taken  again  in  getting  away .  No,  no ;  that  won't 
do." 

"  I  wonder  if  I  can  get  through  one  of  those  win- 
dows?" was  the  next  thought  that  came  into  his 
mind. 

He  stood  on  the  chair,  and  as  the  room  was  low- 
slatted  he  found  he  could  easily  reach  the  windows 
in  question. 

He  shook  them,  and  found  to  his  joy  that  it 
would  be  a  comparatively  easy  thing  to  remove  one 
of  them. 

"What  fools  they  are,"  he  muttered  contemptu- 
ously. ' '  Did  they  really  expect  to  keep  me  here. 
They  must  think  I  am  a  green  hand." 

He  removed  the  window,  and  by  great  effort  suc- 
ceeded in  raising  himself  so  that  he  might  have  a 
chance  of  drawing  himself  through  the  aperture. 
It  did  not  prove  so  easy  as  he  expected.  He  did, 
however,  succeed  at  length,  and  drew  a  long  breath 


106  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

of  satisfaction  as  he  found  himself  once  more  in  the 
possession  of  his  liberty. 

"I'm  a  free  man  once  more,"  he  said.  "What 
next?  " 

He  would  have  been  glad  to  return  to  the  miser's 
house,  and  possessed  himself  of  some  of  his  gold, 
but  the  faint  gray  of  dawn  was  already  perceptible, 
and  there  was  too  much  risk  attending  it.  He 
felt  that  this  must  be  deferred  to  a  more  fitting  oc- 
casion. 

A  few  days  later  the  tramp  found  himself  in  the 
streets  of  New  York. 

For  the  time  he  had  given  up  the  pursuit  of 
Tony.  Indeed,  he  had  wholly  lost  the  clew.  More- 
over, prudence  dictated  his  putting  as  great  a  dis- 
tance as  possible  between  himself  and  the  village 
where  he  had  been  arrested. 

The  hundred  miles  intervening  between  New  York 
and  that  place  he  had  got  over  in  his  usual  way, 
begging  a  meal  at  one  house,  and  a  night's  lodging 
at  another.  He  was  never  at  a  loss  for  a  plausible 
story.  At  one  place  where  he  was  evidently  looked 
upon  with  suspicion,  he  said: 

"  I  aint  used  to  beggin'.  I'm  a  poor,  hard- work- 
in'  man,  but  I've  heard  that  my  poor  daughter  is 
sick  in  New  York,  and  she's  in  the  hospital.  Poor 
girl!  I'm  afraid  she'll  suffer." 

"  What  took  her  to  New  York?"  asked  the  farmer 
whom  he  addressed. 

"  She  went  to  take  a  place  in  a  store,"  said  Kudolph 
readily,  "  but  she's  been  taken  sick,  and  she's  in  the 
hospital.     Poor  girl!     I'm  afraid  she'll  suffer." 


RUDOLPH  ESCAPES.  lOY 

"  I'm  sorry  for  you,"  said  the  farmer's  wife,  sym- 
pathizingly.  "Ephraim,  can't  we  help  along  this 
poor  man?" 

"If  we  can  believe  him.  There's  many  impos- 
tors about." 

' '  I  hope  you  don't  take  me  for  one, "  said  Ru- 
dolph, meekly.  "Poor  Jane;  what  would  she 
think  if  she  knew  how  poor  father  was  so  misun- 
derstood." 

"Poor  man!  I  believe  you,"  said  the  farmer's 
wife.  "You  shall  sleep  in  Jonathan's  bed.  He's 
away  now." 

So  Rudolph  was  provided  with  two  abundant 
meals  and  a  comfortable  bed.  The  farmer's  wife 
never  doubted  his  story,  though  she  could  not  help 
feeling  that  his  looks  were  not  prepossessing.  But, 
was  her  charitable  thought,  the  poor  man  can't  help 
his  looks. 

Of  course  Rudolph  had  been  in  New  York  often, 
and  his  familiar  haunts.  As  a  general  thing,  how- 
ever, he  shunned  the  city,  for  he  was  already 
known  to  the  police,  and  he  felt  that  watchful  eyes 
would  be  upon  him  as  soon  as  it  was  known  that  he 
was  back  again. 

On  the  second  day  he  strolled  into  a  low  drinking 
place  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city. 

A  man  in  shirt  sleeves,  and  with  unhealthy  com- 
plexion, was  mixing  drinks  behind  the  bar. 

"Hallo,  Rudolph!  Back  again?"  was  his  saluta- 
tion. 

£ 'Yes,"  said  the  tramp,  throwing  himself  down 
in  a  seat. 


108  TONY,   THE  HERO. 

"  What's  the  news  with  you?    Been  prospering?  * 

"No." 

"Where  have  you  been?" 

"  Tramping  round  the  country." 

"  Where's  the  boy  you  used  to  have  with  you? " 

"Bun  away;  curse  him!  "  returned  the  tramp  with 
a  fierce  scowl." 

"  Got  tired  of  your  company,  eh?" 

"He  wants  to  be  honest  and  respectable," 
answered  Eudolph,  with  a  sneer. 

1  i  And  he  thought  he  could  learn  better  under  an- 
other teacher,  did  he? "  said  the  bartender,  with  a 
laugh. 

"  Yes,  I  suppose  so.  I'd  like  to  wring  his  neck," 
muttered  the  tramp. 

"  You're  no  friend  to  the  honest  and  respecta- 
ble, then? " 

"No,  I'm  not." 

"  Then,  there's  no  love  lost,  for  they  don't  seem 
to  fancy  you.    What '11  you  have  to  drink? " 

"  I've  got  no  money." 

"  I'll  trust.     You'll  have  some  some  time?  " 

"Give  me  some  whisky,  then,"  said  the  tramp. 

The  whisky  was  placed  in  his  hands.  He  gulped 
it  down,  and  breathed  a  sigh  of  satisfaction. 

Then  resuming  his  seat,  he  took  up  a  morning 
paper.  At  first  he  read  it  listlessly,  but  soon  his  face 
assumed  a  look  of  eager  interest. 

This  was  the  paragraph  that  arrested  his  atten- 
tion: 

"  Should  this  meet  the  eye  of  Rudolph  Rugg,  who 


RUDOLPH  ESCAPES. 


left  England  in  the  fall  of  1857,  he  is  requested  to 
communicate  with  Jacob  Morris,  attorney-at-law, 
Room  11,  No.  — ,  Nassau  street." 

Rudolph  rose  hurriedly. 

"  Going? "  asked  the  bartender. 

"  Yes,-  T'31  be  back  again  soon." 


JiO  TONY,   THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  XVn. 

THE  LADY  AT  THE   ST.    NICHOLAS, 

When  Rudolph  reached  the  sidewalk  he  stopped  a 
moment  to  reflect  on  the  prohable  meaning  of  the 
advertisement. 

"Perhaps  it  is  a  trap,"  he  thought.  "Perhaps, 
after  so  many  years,  they  want  to  punish  me. 
Shall  I  go!" 

His  hesitation  was  only  temporary. 

"There's  nothing  to  be  afraid  of,"  he  concluded. 
"Very  likely  I  shall  hear  something  to  my  advan- 
tage.    I  will  go." 

Ten  minutes'  walk  brought  him  to  Nassau  street. 
He  ascended  two  flights  of  stairs,  opened  the  door 
of  No.  — ,  and  found  himself  in  a  lawyer's  office. 
A  tall  man  of  forty  was  seated  at  a  desk,  with  some 
papers  and  books  lying  before  him. 

"  Well,"  he  said  inquiringly,  "  what  can  I  do  for 
you,  sir?" 

The  address  was  not  very  cordial,  for  Rudolph 
did  not  have  the  look  of  one  likely  to  be  a  profitable 
client. 

"Are  you  Mr.  Jacob  Morris,  attorney-at-law?  * 
asked  the  tramp. 

1 '  That  is  my  name. " 

"  I  am  Rudolph  Rugg." 


THE  LADY  AT  THE  ST.    NICHOLAS.  Ill 

"  Rudolph  Rugg! "  exclaimed  the  lawyer,  briskly, 
jumping  from  his  chair,  "  you  don't  say  so.  lam 
very  glad  to  see  you.     Take  a  chair,  please." 

Reassured  by  this  reception,  Rudolph  took  the 
seat  indicated. 

"  So  you  saw  my  advertisement?  "  said  the  law- 
yer, brushing  away  the  papers  with  which  he  had 
been  occupied. 

"Yes,  sir.     I  cnly  saw  it  this  morning." 

"It  has  been  inserted  for  the  last  two  weeks, 
daily.  How  happens  it  that  you  did  not  see  it 
sooner?  " 

' k  I  have  been  away  from  the  city.  I  have  been 
traveling.  It  was  only  an  accident  that  I  happened 
to  see  it  to-day." 

"A  lucky  accident,  Mr.  Rugg." 

"  I  hope  it  is,  sir,  for  I  have  been  out  of  luck  my- 
self, and  I've  been  hoping  something  would  turn  up 
for  me.     What  is  the  business,  sir? " 

"  My  business  has  been  to  find  you.  I  can't  say 
anything  more." 

"To  find  me?" 

"Yes." 

"What  for?" 

"  For  a  client  of  mine — an  English  lady." 

"A  lady?"  ejaculated  the  tramp,  with  uncon- 
cealed surprise. 

"Yes." 

"Who  is  it?" 

' k'  I  suppose  I  am  at  liberty  to  tell.  The  lady  is 
Mrs.  Harvey  Middleton,  of  Middleton  Hall,  Eng- 
land.'' 


112  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

A  peculiar  expression  swept  over  Rudolph's  face, 
but  he  only  said: 

"I  have  heard  the  name  of  Harvey  Middleton. 
Is — is  the  lady  in  New  York? " 

"  Yes;  she  is  staying  at  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel." 

"And  she  wants  to  find  me?" 

"Yes,  she  authorized  me  to  seek  you  out." 

"Well,"  said  Rudolph,  after  a  brief  pause,  "I'm 
found.     "What  next?" 

' '  I  shall  at  once  send  a  messenger  to  Mrs.  Middle- 
ton,  and  await  her  orders.     You  will  stay  here." 

He  went  to  the  door  and  called  "  John,"  in  a  loud 
voice. 

"Look  here,"  said  Rudolph,  suspiciously,  "just 
tell  me  one  thing.     There  ain't  any  trap   is  there? " 

"Trap,  my  good  friend?  What  can  you  possibly 
mean? " 

"You  ain't  sending  for  the  police?  " 

"  To  be  sure  not.  Besides,  why  should  a  gentle- 
man like  you  fear  the  police? " 

"  Oh,  that's  all  gammon.  I  do  fear  the  police  un- 
common. But  if  you  tell  me  it's  all  on  the  square, 
I'll  believe  you." 

"  On  my  honor,  then,  it's  all  on  the  square,  as  you 
call  it.  No  harm  whatever  is  designed  you.  Indeed, 
I  have  reason  to  think  that  you  will  make  consider- 
able money  out  of  it.  Now,  hark  ye,  my  friend,  a 
word  in  confidence.     We  can  do  each  other  good. " 

"Can  we? "  asked  the  tramp,  surveying  the  law- 
yer, in  surprise. 


THE  LADY  AT  THE  ST.    NICHOLAS.  113 

"Yes,  and  I'll  tell  you  how.  This  lady,  Mrs. 
Middleton,  appears  to  be  rich." 

"She  is  rich." 

"So  much  the  better  for  us.  I  mean  to  give  her 
the  idea  that  I  have  been  at  great  trouble  and  ex- 
pense in  finding  you." 

"I  see,"  said  Budolph,  smiling.  "  You  mean  to 
charge  it  in  the  bill." 

"  Of  course,  I  shall  represent  that  I  sent  out  mes- 
sengers in  search  of  you,  and  you  were  found  by 
one  of  them." 

"Very  good." 

"  So  you  need  not  say  anything  about  the  adver- 
tisement." 

"All  right,  sir." 

"Grant  me  a  moment  while  I  pencil  a  note  to  the 

lady." 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

In  a  private  parlor  at  the  St.  Nicholas  sat  a  lady 
of  middle  age.  She  had  a  haughty  face,  and  stern, 
compressed  lips.  She  was  one  to  repel  rather  than 
to  attract.  She  had  a  note  before  her,  which  she 
threw  down  with  an  exclamation  of  impatience. 

"So  he  has  heard  nothing  yet.  For  three  weeks 
I  have  been  wasting  my  time  at  this  hotel,  depend- 
ing on  this  lawyer,  and  he  has  done  absolutely 
nothing.  And  the  issue  is  so  important.  I  may 
have  to  employ  another  person,  and  that  will  be  a 
fresh  bill  of  expense," 

At  this  moment  a  light  knock  was  heard  at  the 
door. 


114  TOSY,    THE   HERO. 

"Enter,"  said  the  lady. 

"A  note  for  Mrs.  Middleton,"  announced  a  ser- 
vant. 

She  took  the  missive  and  hastily  opened  it.  It 
read  thus: 

"My  dear  Madam — At  last,  after  unwearied  ex- 
ertions, I  have  succeeded.  The  man,  Rudolph 
Rugg,  has  been  found  by  one  of  my  messengers, 
and  is  at  this  moment  in  my  office,  ready  to  obey 
your  summons.  Shall  I  send  him  to  you? 
' '  Yours,  respectfully, 

"Jacob  Morris." 

"  P.  S. — I  assured  you  at  the  outset  that  if  he 
were  living  I  would  find  him.  I  am  sure  you  will 
appreciate  my  exertions  in  your  behalf. " 

"That  means  a  larger  bill,"  thought  the  lady. 
"However,  I  am  willing  to  pay  handsomely.  The 
man  is  found,  and  he  can,  doubtless,  produce  the 
boy." 

"Wait!"  she  said,  in  an  imperious  tone,  to  the 
servant,  who  was  about  to  withdraw.  "There  is 
an  answer." 

She  hastily  penciled  the  following  note : 

' '  I  am  very  glad  you  have  found  Rudolph  Rugg. 
I  wish  to  speak  to  him  at  once.  Send  him  here  di- 
rectly." 

"  Short  and  not  sweet!  "  commented  the  lawyer, 
when  it  was  placed  in  his  hands,  "  She  says  noth- 
ing about  the  compensation, " 


THE  LADY  AT   THE   ST.    NICHOLAS.  115 

"  Is  it  about  me?"  asked  the  tramp,  watching  the 
lawyer's  face  eagerly. 

"  Yes;  it  is  from  Mrs.  Middleton.  She  wants  you 
to  come  to  the  hotel  at  once.  But,  my  friend,  if 
you  will  excuse  the  suggestion,  I  would  advise  you, 
since  you  are  about  to  call  upon  a  lady,  to  put  on  a 
better  suit  of  clothes." 

The  tramp  scowled  at  the  hint. 

"How  am  I  to  do  it,"  he  demanded  roup;lily, 
"when  these  are  all  the  clothes  I  have?" 

The  lawyer  whistled. 

"A  pretty  looking  figure  to  call  upon  a  lady  at  a 
fashionable  hotel!  "  he  thought. 

"  You  must  go  as  you  are,"  he  said.  "  Wait  a 
minute." 

He  took  a  blank  card  and  wrote  upon  it  the  name : 
Eudolph  Eugg. 

"  When  you  reach  the  hotel,"  he  said,  "inquire 
for  Mrs.  Middleton,  and  send  that  card  up  to  her." 

"Very  well,  sir." 

The  tramp  started  for  the  hotel,  his  mind  busily 
occupied. 

"What  does  she  want  with  me?  She  wasn't  Mrs. 
Middleton  when  I  knew  her;  she  was  Miss  Vincent, 
the  governess.  I  suppose  she's  a  great  lady  now. 
So  she  got  Mr.  Harvey  to  marry  her.  That  ain't 
surprisin'.  She  looked  like  a  schemer  even  then, 
and  I  was  a  fool  not  to  see  what  she  was  at.  Likely 
she  was  up  to  the  other  thing.  Well,  I  shall  soon 
know," 


116  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

CHAPTEE  XVIII. 

TWO   CONSPIRATORS. 

"  You  want  to  see  Mrs.  Middleton? "  demanded  the 
hotel  clerk,  surveying  Mr.  Eugg's  exterior  with  a 
glance  which  betokened  suspicion. 

"  Yes,"  said  the  tramp. 

"I  don't  think  she'll  see  one  of  your  sort." 

"That's  where  you're  mistaken,  young  feller,' 
said  Eudolph,  loftily.  "She  wants  to  see  me  un- 
common. " 

"You're  a  strange  visitor  for  a  lady." 

"What  if  I  am?  There's  my  card.  Just  you  send 
it  up,  and  see  if  she  won't  see  me." 

The  clerk  took  the  card,  and  looked  at  it  doubt- 
fully.    Then  summoning  an  attendant,  he  said: 

"Take  this  up  to  57." 

Presently  the  servant  returned. 

"The  gentleman  is  to  go  up,"  he  said. 

Eudolph  looked  at  the  clerk  triumphantly. 

"What  did  I  tell  you?  "  he  said. 

"Show  the  gentleman  up,"  said  the  clerk,  pur- 
posely  emphasizing  the  word. 

As  Eudolph  entered  the  handsome  parlor  occupied 
by  Mrs.  Middleton,  she  said: 

' '  Take  a  seat,  sir. "  Then  to  the  attendant :  ' ' You 
may  go.  You  are  Eudolph  Eugg? "  she  commenced 
when  they  were  alone. 


TWO   CONSPIRATORS.  117 

"Yes,  ma'am,"  he  answered;  "arid  you  are  Miss 

Vincent,  the    governess.     I  haven't  forgotten  you." 

"I  am  Mrs  Harvey  Middleton, "  she  said  haught- 

ay- 

"  Excuse  me,  ma'am.  I  hadn't  heard  as  you  had 
changed  your  condition.  You  was  the  governess 
when  I  knowed  you." 

uYou  never  knew  me,"  she  said,  in  the  same 
haughty  tone. 

•'Well,  I  knowed  Mr.  Harvey,  at  any  rate." 

"  That  is  not  to  the  purpose.  Do  you  know  why  I 
have  sought  you  out? " 

"I  couldn't  guess,  ma'am,"  said  Eudolph,  cun- 
ningly. 

He  could  guess,  but  he  wanted  to  force  her  to 
speak  out. 

"Where  is  the  boy?  Is  he  living?"  she  demanded, 
eagerly. 

"What  boy?"  asked  Eudolph,  vacantly. 

"You  know  very  well.  Eobert  Middleton,  my 
husband's  cousin,  whom  you  stole  away  when  he 
was  scarcely  more  than  an  infant." 

"Can  you  prove  what  you  say,  Miss  Vincent — I 
mean  Mrs.  Middleton? " 

"  Yes.  It  is  idle  to  beat  about  the  bush.  My  hus- 
band has  told  me  all. " 

"Then  he  has  told  you  that  he  hired  me  to  carry 
the  boy  off,  in  order  that  he  might  inherit  the 
estate? " 

The  tramp  looked  searchingly  in  the  lady's  face  as 
he  said  this. 


118 

"Yes,  he  told  me  that,"  she  answered,  compos- 
edly. 

"Well,  I  didn't  think  he'd  own  up  to  that,"  said 
the  tramp,  in  surprise. 

"  My  husband  and  I  had  no  secrets,"  said  the  lady, 
coldly. 

"  What  does  he  want  of  the  boy  now? "  asked  Eu- 
dolph. 

"  It  is  I  that  want  to  find  the  boy." 

"  Without  his  knowledge?  " 

"  If  you  refer  to  my  husband,  he  is  dead." 

t '  Dead !    You  don't  say  so  ? " 

"He  died  six  months  ago." 

"Well,  I  didn't  expect  that.  Who  has  got  the 
estate? " 

"I  have." 

The  tramp  whistled,  and  surveyed  the  lady  with 
genuine  admiration.  Here  was  a  poor  governess, 
who  had  succeeded  in  life  with  a  vengeance.  When 
he  knew  her  she  was  not  worth  fifty  pounds  in  the 
world.  Now  she  was  a  mistress  of  a  fine  English 
estate,  with  a  rental  of  two  thousand  pounds. 

"Wasn't  there  no  heirs?  "  he  asked. 

"Only  this  boy." 

"  And  if  this  boy  was  alive  would  the  estate  be 
his? " 

The  lady  paused,  meanwhile  fixing  her  eyes  stead- 
ily upon  the  man  before  her.  Then,  as  if  rapidly 
making  up  her  mind,  she  approached  him,  and 
placed  her  jeweled  hand  on  his  arm. 

''Eudolph  Eugg,"  she  said,  "  do  you  want  to  be 
comfortable  for  fife? " 


TWO  CONSPIRATORS.  119 

"  Yes,  ma'am,  that's  exactly  what  I  do  want.  I've 
been  wanting  it  ever  since  I  was  old  enough  to 
know  the  power  of  money,  but  it  has  never  come  to 
me." 

"It  will  come  to  you  now  if  you  say  the  word," 
she  said. 

"I'll  say  it  quick  enough.  Tell  me  what  you 
want." 

1  i  You  talk  like  a  sensible  man.  But  first  tell  me, 
is  the  boy  living? " 

"He  is  alive  and  well." 

She  frowned  slightly,  as  if  the  intelligence  didn't 
please  her. 

"Do  you  know  where  he  is? " 

"Yes,"  answered  Eudolph. 

It  was  false,  of  course,  but  he  thought  it  was  for 
his  interest  to  answer  in  the  affirmative. 

"  When  did  you  see  him  last? " 

"Last  week." 

"  Very  well,  you  know  where  he  is.  That  is  im- 
portant. Now,  in  order  that  you  may  understand 
what  service  I  want  of  you,  I  must  tell  you  a  little 
of  my  circumstances.  I  told  you  that  my  husband 
left  me  the  estate." 

"Yes,  ma'am." 

"  But  only  in  trust." 

"  For  the  boy? "  asked  the  tramp,  in  excitement. 

' i  Precisely." 

"Well,  I'll  be  Mowed." 

"What  excites  you,  Mr.  Kugg?" 

"To  think  that  Tony,  the  tramp,  should  be  the 


120  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

owner  of  a  splendid  estate  in  old  Hingland,  and  not 
know  anything  about  it. " 

"I  ani  the  owner,"  said  the  lady,  frowning. 

' '  But  you're  only  takin'  care  of  it  for  him. " 

"  I  don't  mean  that  he  shall  ever  know  it." 

Rudolph  whistled. 

' '  I  wish  you  would  forbear  whistling  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  lady.  It  is  unmannerly,"  said  Mrs.  Mid- 
dleton,  annoyed. 

" I  ain't  much  used  to  associating  with  ladies," 
said  the  tramp. 

"Bear  it  it  in  mind,  then."  she  said,  sharply. 
"Now  to  business." 

"Yes,  ma'am,  to  business." 

"  My  husband  secured  the  inheritance,  as  you  are 
aware,  through  the  disappearance  of  his  young 
cousin.     And  mighty  well  he  managed  it." 

' Q  But  after  he  fell  into  ill  health,  and  was  given 
over  by  the  doctors,  he  became  a  prey  to  supersti- 
tious fears,  the  result  of  his  weakness,  and  at  times 
experienced  great  regret  for  the  hand  he  had  in  the 
abduction  of  the  boy." 

"You  surprise  me,  ma'am.  He  wasn't  that  sort 
when  I  knew  him." 

"  No;  he  was  then  in  jDerfect  health,  and  was  bold 
and  resolute.  Ill  health  and  the  approach  of  death 
made  him  superstitious." 

"You  ain't  that  way,  ma'am,  I  take  it,"  said  Eu- 
dolph,  with  a  leer. 

"No;  I  have  a  stronger  will  and  greater  resolu- 
tion, I  hope." 


TWO   CONSPIRATORS.  121 

Her  face  did  not  belie  her  words.  There  was  a 
cold  look  in  her  light-gray  eyes,  and  a  firmness  in 
her  closely-pressed  lips,  which  made  it  clear  that  she 
was  not  likely  to  be  affected  by  ordinary  weakness. 
She  was  intensely  selfish,  and  thoroughly  unscrupu- 
lous as  to  the  means  which  she  employed  to  carry 
out  her  selfish  ends. 

"So  you're  afraid  the  boy'll  turn  up,  ma'am?" 
asked  Rudolph. 

"Precisely." 

"  Then  why  do  you  look  for  him? " 

"  I  want  to  guard  against  his  ever  turning  up.  I 
hoped  you  would  be  able  to  tell  me  he  was  dead." 

"  He  don't  know  about  the  property." 

"  But  he  might  have  learned,  or  you  might.  My 
husband,  with  the  idea  of  reparation,  left  the  prop- 
erty to  me,  in  trust,  but  if  it  should  ever  be  fully 
ascertained  that  the  boy  had  died,  then  it  was 
to  be  mine  absolutely.     There  must  be  clear  proof." 

"I  begin  to  see  what  you're  driving  at,  ma'am." 

"  You  say  the  boy  is  alive?  " 

"Yes,  ma'am." 

"And  well?" 

"  Stout  and  hearty,  ma'am.  He's  been  under  my 
care  ever  since  he  was  a  young  'un,  ma'am,  and  I've 
treated  him  like  he  was  my  own." 

"Indeed!" 

"Yes,  ma'am.  I'm  poor,  but  I've  always  shared 
my  crust  with  him,  givin'  him  the  biggest  half." 

"Very  kind,  I'm  sure,"  said  the  lady,  sarcastically. 
"I  suppose  you're  very  fond  of  him." 


122 

"  Of  course  I  am,"  said  Kudolph,  "but,"  he  added, 
after  a  slight  pause,  "  there's  one  thing  I  like  bet- 
ter." 

"What  is  that?" 

"Money." 

"  Good! "  said  the  lady,  her  face  lighting  up  with 
satisfaction.     "I  see  we  understand  one  another." 

"'That's  so,  ma'am.  You  needn't  be  afraid  to  say 
anything  to  me.     Business  is  business." 

"Draw  your  chair  near  mine,  Mr.  Kugg,"  said 
Mrs.  Middleton,  affably. 

The  tramp  did  so.  He  foresaw  what  was  coming, 
but  did  not  flinch. 


THE  WICKED   COMPACT.  123 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 

THE   WICKED   COMPACT. 

"It  appears  to  me,  Mr.  Rugg,  that  you  have 
prospered,"  said  the  lady. 

"That's   where    you're  right,    ma'am,    and  you 
couldn't  be  lighter. " 

I'm  as  poor  as  I  can  be." 

So  am  I,"  said  the  tramp,  adding,  with  a  cun- 
ning look,  "  but  times  will  be  better  now." 

"Why  will  they  be  better?"  asked  Mrs.  Middle- 
ton,  suspiciously. 

"  Tony  won't  see  me  want  when  he  comes  into  ten 
thousand  a  year." 

"  Who  said  he  was  coining  into  it? "  demanded  the 
lady,  coldly. 

"You  said  he  was  the  heir." 

"  He  hasn't  got  the  estate,  and  I  don't  mean  he 
shall  have  it." 

"  How  will  you  prevent  that  ma'am?" 

Mrs.  Middleton  again  put  her  hand  on  the  man's 
tattered  coat  sleeve,  and  in  a  voice  scarcely  above  a 
whisper,  said: 

"Mr.  Rugg,  you  must  prevent  it." 

"How  can  I  prevent  it?"  asked  the  tramp,  with 
an  assumption  of  innocence. 

"  I  take  it,  you  are  not  a  religious  man? " 


124 

"Not  much,"  answered  the  tramp,  with  a  short 
laugh. 

"  You  are  not  afraid — -to  do  wrong? " 

"Yes,  I  am,  ma'am;  but  if  I  was  paid  for  it  I 
might  not  mind." 

"  You  shall  be  paid,  and  paid  well." 

"  What  do  you  want  me  to  do? " 

Mrs.  Middleton  said,  with  slow  significance: 

"This  boy  is  in  my  way.  Don't  you  think  he 
might  manage  to  get  sick  and  die? " 

"  Perhaps  he  might,"  said  Rudolph,  who  did  not 
appear  to  be  shocked  at  the  suggestion. 

"Couldn't  you  manage  it?"  she  asked,  her  eyes 
fixed  upon  the  tramp. 

"I  might,"  he  answered,  shrewdly,  "  if  it  was 
going  to  do  me  any  good." 

"Then  the  only  question  is  as  to  pay,"  she  con- 
tinued. 

"That's  about  it  ma'am.  It's  a  big  risk,  you 
know.  I  might  get  caught,  and  then  money 
wouldn't  do  me  much  good." 

"Nothing  venture,  nothing  have.  You  don't 
want  to  be  a  pauper  all  your  life?  " 

"No,  I  don't,  answered  the  tramp  with  energy. 
"I'm  tired  of  tramping  round  the  country,  sleeping 
in  barns  and  under  hay-stacks,  and  picking  up  meals 
where  I  can.     I've  had  enough  of  it." 

"Do  as  I  wish,  and  you  need  never  suffer  such 
privations  again, "  said  the  tempter. 

"  How  much  will  you  give  me? "  asked  Rudolph, 
in  a  business-like  manner. 


THE  WICKED   COMPACT.  125 

"Five  hundred  dollars  down  and  five  hundred 
dollars  income  as  long  as  you  live." 

This  was  good  fortune  of  which  Eudolph  had 
never  dreamed,  but  he  understood  how  to  make  the 
best  of  the  situation. 

"  It  is  not  enough,"  he  said,  shaking  his  head. 

"Not  enough!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Middleton,  with 
a  look  of  displeasure.  * '  Why,  it  seems  to  me  very 
liberal.  You  can  live  comfortably  all  your  life  just 
for  doing  one  thing." 

"  A  thing  which  may  bring  me  to  the  gallows. 
It's  all  very  well  to  talk,  but  I  can't  risk  my  neck 
for  that." 

The  lady  was  not  surprised.  She  had  expected 
that  she  would  be  compelled  to  drive  a  bargain,  and 
and  she  had  named  a  sum  less  than  she  was  willing 
to  pay. 

"  You  see,"  continued  Rudolph,  ' '  it's  going  to  be 
a  great  thing  for  you.  You'll  be  sure  of  a  big  estate 
and  an  income  of  two  thousand  pounds — that's  ten 
thousand  dollars — a  year,  and  it'll  be  me  that  gives 
it  to  you." 

"  You  overestimate  your  services,  Mr.  Eugg,"  she 
said,  coldly.  "If  I  decline  to  proceed  further  the 
estate  will  be  mine." 

"  Not  if  I  bring  on  the  boy,  and  say  he's  the  real 
heir." 

"  I  shall  deny  it,"  said  the  lady,  composedly,  "  and 
challenge  you  to  the  proof." 

"  You  will?"  queried  the  tramp,  disconcerted. 

"  Of  course  I  shall." 


126  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"  Then  I'll  prove  it,"  he  continued,  in  tone  of 
triumph. 

"Who  will  believe  you? "  asked  Mrs.  Middleton, 
quietly. 

"  Why  shouldn't  they? " 

"You  are  a  tramp,  and  a  discreditable  person. 
Your  appearance  would  be  against  you.  I  suspect 
the  boy  is  one  of  the  same  sort." 

"No,  he  isn't.  I  don't  like  him  overmuch,  but 
he's  a  handsome  chap,  looks  the  gentleman  every 
inch,  even  if  he  is  dressed  a  little  shabby." 

"  I  should  charge  you  with  conspiracy,  Mr.  Eugg. 
You'd  find  it  uphill  work  fighting  me  without  in- 
fluence and  without  money.  To  begin  with,  how 
would  you  get  over  to  England?  " 

As  presented  by  Mrs.  Middleton,  certainly  the 
chances  did  not  look  flattering. 

But  an  idea  occurred  to  Rudolph,  and  he  instantly 
expressed  it: 

"  Then,  if  there  ain't  no  danger  from  me  or  the 
boy,  why  do  you  offer  me  anything  to  put  him  out 
of  the  way?" 

Mrs.  Middleton  hesitated. 

"I  may  as  well  tell  you,"  she  said,  after  a  mo- 
ment's pause.  "  I  take  it  for  granted  you  will  keep 
the  matter  secret. " 

"Of  course  I  will." 

"  Then  it  is  this:  I  married  Mr.  Harvey  Middle- 
ton  to  secure  a  home  and  a  position.  I  didn't  love 
him." 

•'Quite  right,  ma'am." 


THE  WICKED   COMPACT.  127 

"I  was  a  poor  governess.  It  was  a  great  thing 
for  me  to  marry  Mr.  Middleton." 

"I  should  think  so." 

f*  I  made  him  a  good  wife.  He  had  no  reason  to 
complain  of  me,  and  when  he  died  he  left  me  in 
charge  of  the  estate.'' 

"  For  the  boy?" 

"  Yes,  for  the  boy,  and  this  has  given  me  trou- 
ble." 

"  He  hasn't  never  troubled  you." 

"  Not  yet,  and  but  for  one  thing  I  would  not  have 
come  to  America  in  search  of  him." 

"What  is  that?" 

uThat  is  the  secret  I  am  going  to  tell  you.  I 
want  to  marry  again." 

The  tramp  whistled. 

Mrs.  Middleton  frowned,  but  went  on: 

"  This  time  I  love  the  man  I  want  to  marry.  He 
is  from  an  excellent  family,  but  he  is  a  younger  son, 
and  has  little  or  nothing  himself.  If  the  estate 
were  mine  absolutely,  there  would  be  no  opposition 
on  the  part  of  his  family  to  his  marrying  me  to- 
morrow, but  with  the  knowledge  that  the  boy  may 
turn  up  at  any  time,  nothing  will  be  done." 

"  I  see,"  said  the  tramp,  nodding. 

c*  But  for  this,  I  never  would  have  stirred  in  the 
matter  at  all.  I  did  not  think  it  probable  that  the 
boy  would  ever  hear  of  his  inheritance." 

"He  don't  even  know  who  he  is,"  said  Eudolph. 

"  You  never  told  him,  then?"  said  the  lady  in  a 
tone  of  satisfaction. 


128  TONY,    THE   HERO. 


c< 


No.     What  was  the  good? " 

"  There  was  no  good,  and  you  did  wisely.  Now  I 
have  told  you  how  matters  stand,  and  I  renew  the 
offer  which  I  made  you  a  few  minutes  since." 

"It  is  too  little,"  said  the  tramp,  shaking  his 
head." 

"Tell  me  what  you  expect.  Mind,  I  don't  say 
that  I  will  meet  your  views  if  they  are  extravagant. 
Still  I  might  agree  to  pay  you  a  little  more." 

"I  want  just  double  what  you  offered  me, 
ma'am." 

' '  Why,  that's  extortion. " 

"That's  as  you  choose  to  consider  it,  ma'am. 
It'll  leave  you  money  enough.     It's  one-tenth. 

"  Suppose  I  refuse." 

"  Then  I'll  go  and  see  a  lawyer,  and  he'll  tell  me 
what  I  had  better  do." 

"  Even  if  you  succeeded,  and  got  the  boy  in  pos- 
session, do  you  think  he  would  give  you  any  more 
than  I  offered?" 

This  was  a  consideration  which  had  not  occurred 
to  the  tramp.  He  had  only  thought  of  punishing 
the  lady  for  not  acceding  to  his  terms.  He  asked 
himself,  moreover,  did  he  really  wish  Tony  to  come 
into  such  a  piece  of  good  fortune,  and  that  after  the 
boy  had  been  instrumental  in  having  him  arrested. 
No,  anything  but  that!  He  decided  to  work  for 
Mrs.  Middleton,  and  make  the  best  terms  he  could." 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do  ma'am, "  he  said.  "  111 
say  eight  hundred  dollars  down,  and  the  same  every 
year. " 


THE  WICKED   COMPACT.  129 

To  this  sum  Mrs.  Middleton  finally  agreed. 

"You  say  you  know  where  the  boy  is?"  she 
asked. 

"  Yes,  ma'am." 

"  Then  there  need  be  no  delay." 

"  Only  a  little.  But  I  shall  want  some  money. 
i.  haven  t  a  penny. " 

Mrs.  Middleton  took  out  her  purse. 

"Here  are  a  hundred  dollars/'  she  said.  "The 
rest  shall  be  paid  you  when  you  have  earned  it." 

Rudolph  rose  to  go,  and  as  he  went  down  stairs 
thoughtfully,  he  said  to  himself: 

"That  woman's  a  case  if  ever  there  was  one. 
How  coolly  she  hires  me  to  kill  the  boy.  I  don't 
half  like  the  job.  It's  too  risky.  But  there's  money 
in  it,  and  I  can't  refuse.  The  first  thing  is  to  find 
him!" 


130  TOXY,    THE   HERO. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   FIGHTING  QUAKER. 

The  tramp  decided  that  the  best  way  to  find  Tony 
would  be  to  return  to  that  part  of  the  country 
where  he  had  lost  him,  and  make  inquiries  for  a 
boy  of  his  description.  He  could  do  it  more  com- 
fortably now,  being  provided  with  funds,  thanks  to 
Mrs.  Middleton.  He  was  now  able  to  command  fair 
accommodations,  and  this  was  satisfactory. 

But  there  was  another  difficulty  which,  at  times, 
gave  him  uneasiness.  He  had  escaped  from  the 
custody  of  the  law,  and  was  liable  to  be  arrested. 
This  would  have  disconcerted  him,  and  interfered 
seriously  with  the  purpose  he  had  in  view. 

"  I  must  disguise  myself,"  thought  Eudolph.  "  It 
won't  do  to  run  any  risk.  When  I  was  a  tramp  I 
didn't  care,  but  now  I've  got  something  to  live  for." 

It  was  not  the  first  time  in  his  varied  experience 
that  he  had  felt  the  need  of  a  disguise,  and  he  knew 
just  where  to  go  to  find  one.  In  the  lower  part  of 
the  city  there  was  a  shop  well  provided  with  such 
articles  as  he  required.  He  lost  no  time  in  seeking 
it  out. 

"What  can  I  do  for  you,  Mr.  Rugg?"  asked  the 
old  man  who  kept  the  establishment. 

"I  want  a  disguise.*' 

"  Then  you've  come  to  the  right  shop.  What  will 
you  be — a  sailor,  a  Quaker,  a — " 


THE   FIGHTING   QUAKER.  131 

"  Hold,  there, "  said  Eudolph.       "You've  named 
the  very  thing." 
"What?" 

"A  Quaker.  Can  you  make  me  a  good  broad- 
brim?" 

"  Yea,  verily/'  answered  the  old  man,  laughing, 
"  I  can  suit  thee  to  a  TV' 

"  Do  so,  then." 

From  out  a  pile  of  costmes  of  various  styles  and 
fashions  the  old  man  drew  a  suit  of  drab  and  a 
broad-brimmed  hat. 

"  How  will  that  do?  "  he  asked. 

"Capital!"  answered  Rudolph,  with  satisfaction, 
"that  is,  if  it  will  fit," 

"I'll  answer  for  that,  It's  made  for  a  man  of 
your  size.     Will  you  try  it  on?  " 

"  First  tell  me  the  price." 

"Thirty  dollars." 

"Thirty  dollars !"  exclaimed  the  tramp,  aghast. 
"  Do  you  think  I  am  made  of  money? " 

"  Look  at  the  quality,  my  good  friend.  Look  at 
the  cloth." 

"Why,  I  may  not  want  the  things  for  more  than 
a  week." 

"Then,  I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do.  If  you  only  use 
them  a  week,  you  shall  bring  them  back,  and  I  will 
pay  you  back  twenty-five  dollars;  that  is,"  added 
the  old  man  cautiously,  "if  you  don't  hurt  'em  too 
much." 

"That's  better,"  said  Eudolph.  "I'll  try  them 
on." 


132  TONY5    THE  HERO. 

He  went  into  an  inner  room,  provided  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  soon  came  out  entirely  transformed.  In 
addition  to  the  drab  suit,  a  gray  wig  had  been  sup- 
plied, which  gave  him  the  appearance  of  a  highly 
respectable  old  Quaker. 

The  old  man  laughed  heartily,  for  he  had  a  merry 
vein. 

"  How  dost  thee  like  it?"  he  asked. 

"Capital,"  said  Eudolph;  "would  you  know 
me?" 

"I  wouldn't  dream  it  was  you.  But,  Mr.  Rugg, 
there's  one  thing  you  mustn't  forget." 

"What's  that?" 

"  To  use  the  Quaker  lingo.  Just  now  you  said, 
'  Would  you  know  me?'     That  isn't  right." 

"What  should  I  say?" 

"  Would  thee  know  me?" 

"  All  right.  I'll  get  it  after  a  while.  There's 
your  money." 

"There  you  are  again.  You  must  say  thy 
money." 

"I  see  you  know  all  about  it.  You've  been  a 
Quaker  yourself,  haven't  you?  " 

"  Not  I;  but  I  was  brought  up  in  Philadelphia,  and 
I  have  seen  plenty  of  the  old  feUows.  That's  right. 
Now,  don't  forget  how  to  talk.  Where  are  you 
going? " 

"Into  the  country  on  a  little  expedition,"  said 
Rudolph. 

"  When  will  you  be  back? " 

"In  a  week,  if  all  goes  well." 


THE   FIGHTING  QUAKER.  133 

"  Well,  good  luck  to  you." 

"  I  wish  thee  good  luck,  too,"  said  the  tramp. 

"  Ha,  ha!    You've  got  it;  you'll  do." 

The  tramp  emerged  into  the  street,  a  very  fair 
representative  of  a  sedate  Quaker.  At  first  he  for- 
got his  gray  hair,  and  walked  with  a  briskness  that 
was  hardly  in  character  with  his  years.  He  soon  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  some  street  boys,  who, 
not  suspecting  his  genuineness,  thought  him  fair 
game. 

"How  are  you,  old  Broadbrim?"  said  one. 

Eudolph  didn't  resent  this.  He  felt  rather  pleased 
at  this  compliment  to  his  get  up. 

"  You'd  make  a  good  scarecrow,  old  buffer,"  said 
another. 

Still  the  tramp  kept  his  temper. 

A  third  boy  picked  up  a  half-eaten  apple  and  fired 
it  at  him. 

This  was  too  much  for  the  newly-converted  disci- 
ple of  William  Penn. 

"  Just  let  me  catch  you,  you  little  rascal,"  he  ex- 
claimed, "and  I'll  give  you  the  worst  licking  you 
ever  had. 

The  boys  stared  open  mouthed  at  such  language 
from  the  sedate  old  gentlemen. 

"He's  a  fighting  Quaker,"  said  the  first  one, 
' '  keep  out  of  his  way. " 

"  If  thee  don't,  thee'U  catch  it,"  said  Rudolph, 
fortunately  remembering  how  he  must  talk. 

He  had  thought  of  pursuing  the  disturbers  of  his 
\.  )ace,  but  motives  of  prudence  prevented  him. 


134:  TONY,    THE  HERO 


CHAPTEK  XXI. 

RUDOLPH  HEARS   OF  TONY. 

Four  days  afterward  Rudolph  arrived  in  the  town 
where  Tony  was  employed.  He  had  not  been 
drawn  thither  by  any  clew,  but  by  pure  accident. 

He  put  up  for  the  night  at  the  hotel  where  our 
hero  had  found  work.  He  enrolled  himself  on  the 
register  as  "  Obadiah  Latham,  Philadelphia." 

This,  he  thought,  would  answer  very  well  for  a 
Quaker  name,  much  better,  certainly,  than  Rudolph 
Rugg,  which  on  other  accounts  also  was  objection- 
able. 

"Can  thee  give  me  a  room,  friend?"  he  inquired 
at  the  desk. 

"  Certainiy,  sir,"  was  the  polite  reply.  "Here, 
Henry,  show  this  old  gentleman  up  to  No.  6.  No. 
6  is  one  of  our  best  rooms,  Mr.  Latham." 

"I  thank  thee,"  said  the  tramp,  who,  by  this 
time,  was  quite  accustomed  to  the  peculiar  phrase- 
ology of  the  Friends. 

"The  Quakers  are  always  polite,"  said  the  book- 
keeper. They  are  good  pay,  too,  and  never  give 
any  trouble.  I  wish  we  had  more  of  them  stop 
here." 

"If  all  your  customers  were  of  that  description, 
your  bar  wouldn't  pay  very  well." 


RUDOLPH  HEARS  OF  TONY.  135 

"That  is  true." 

"But  later  in  the  evening  the  speaker  was 
obliged  to  change  his  opinion. 

The  Quaker  came  up  to  the  bar,  and  asked: 

"Will  thee  give  me  a  glass  of  brandy? " 

"Sir?"  said  the  barkeeper,  astounded,  and  hardly 
believing  his  ears. 

"A  glass  of  brandy!"  repeated  Eudolph,  irrita- 
bly.    "  Where  is  thy  ears  ? " 

"I  beg  pardon,  sir,  but  I  was  surprised.  I  did 
not  know  that  gentlemen  of  your  faith  ever  drank 
liquor." 

' '  Thee  is  right, "  said  the  tramp,  recollecting  him- 
self. "It  is  only  for  my  health.  Thee  may  make 
it  strong,  so  that  I  may  feel  better  soon." 

Rudolph  drained  the  glass,  and  then  after  a  little 
hesitation,  he  said: 

"I  feel  better.  Will  thee  mix  me  another  glass, 
and  a  little  stronger? " 

A  stronger  glass  was  given  him,  and  he  poured  it 
down  rapidly. 

The  barkeeper  looked  at  him  shrewdly. 

"  Quaker  as  he  is,  he  is  evidently  used  to  brandy," 
he  said  to  himself.  ' '  If  he  wasn't  those  two 
glasses  would  have  upset  him. " 

But  Budolph  did  not  appear  to  be  upset,  or,  in- 
deed, to  be  in  the  least  affected. 

He  put  his  broad-brimmed  hat  more  firmly  on 
his  head,  and  went  outside.  He  determined  to  take 
a  walk  about  the  village.  This  was  his  usual  cus- 
tom on  arriving  in  a  new  place.     On  such  occasions 


136 

he  kept  his  eyes  open,  and  looked  about,  in  the  hope 
that  he  might  somewhere  see  the  object  of  his 
search.  He  little  suspected  that  Tony  was  at  that 
very  moment  in  the  stable-yard  in  the  rear  of  the 
hotel. 

He  walked  on  for  perhaps  a  quarter  of  a  mile, 
and  then  leaned  against  a  fence  to  rest.  As  he 
stood  here,  two  boys  passed  him  slowly,  conversing 
as  they  walked. 

"  I  was  surprised,  Sam,  at  Tony  Rugg's  whipping 
you,"  said  the  first. 

"  He  couldn't  do  it  again,"  said  Sam,  sullenly. 

Rudolph's  attention  was  at  once  drawn. 

Tony  Rugg!  Why,  there  could  be  but  one  Tony 
Rugg. 

He  advanced  toward  the  boys. 

"Boys,"  he  asked,  "did  thee  mention  the  name 
of  Tony  Rugg?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Does  thee  know  such  a  boy? " 

"Yes,  sir.  He  is  working  at  the  hotel.  He  got 
my  place  away  from  me,"  said  Sam.  "Do  you 
know  him? " 

"I  once  knew  such  a  boy.  But  no!  his  name  was 
Charles." 

"Perhaps  he's  a  relation." 

"Perhaps  thee  are  right." 

This  the  tramp  said  cunningly,  not  wishing  Tony 
to  hear  that  he  had  been  inquiring  after  him. 


RUDOLPH  HEARS  OF  TONY.  137 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

RUDOLPH    FINDS    TONY. 

Rudolph  was  very  much  elated  at  what  he  had 
heard.  His  object  then  was  already  attained,  and 
the  boy  was  found. 

' '  Well,  good  luck  has  come  to  me  at  last,"  he  said 
to  himself.  "The  young  scoundrel  is  found,  and 
now  I  must  consider  how  to  get  him  into  my  hands 
once  more." 

The  Quaker,  to  designate  him  according  to  his 
present  appearance,  at  once  made  his  way  back  to 
the  hotel.  He  wanted  to  see  Tony  and  verify  the 
information  he  had  obtained  from  the  boys,  though 
he  saw  no  reason  to  doubt  it. 

"  There  can't  be  two  Tony  Rugg's  in  the  world," 
he  said  to  himself.     "  I  am  sure  this  is  the  boy." 

On  reaching  the  hotel  he  sauntered  out  into  the 
stable-yard  in  the  rear  of  the  house.  His  eyes  lighted 
with  pleasure,  for  he  at  once  caught  sight  of  Tony, 
standing  beside  James,  the  hostler. 

"There  comes  old  Broadbrim,"  said  James  in  a 
low  voice.  "The  barkeeper  told  me  he  took  two 
stiff  horns  of  brandy.  He's  a  queer  sort  of  Quaker 
in  my  opinion." 

Tony  gave  a  curious  glance  at  the  disguised 
tramp,  but  entertained  no  suspicion  of  his  not  being 


138  TONY,    THE     HERO. 

what  he  represented.     The  white  hair  and  costnme 
made  it  difficult  to  doubt. 

"I  never  saw  a  Quaker  before,"  he  said. 

" Didn't  you?" 

Meantime  Rudolph  came  nearer.  His  disguise 
had  been  so  successful  that  he  felt  perfectly  safe 
from  discovery. 

"  Does  thee  keep  many  horses? "  he  asked. 

"  Yes,  sir;  we  have  twelve." 

"That  is  a  large  number.  Yea,  verily,  it  is,"  said 
the  tramj). 

"Well,  it  is,  but  we  need  them  all.  There's  a 
good  deal  of  carting  to  do  for  the  hotel,  besides  Mr. 
Porter  keeps  a  livery  stable.  Was  you  ever  this 
way  before? "  asked  James,  thinking  he  might  as 
well  ask  a  few  questions  also. 

"Nay,  verily." 

"  Where  might  you  be  from? " 

"From  Philadelphia. " 

"  I've  heard  there's  a  good  many  Quakers  out  that 
way." 

"  Yea,  verily,  my  friend,  thee  is  right." 

"  Are  you  going  away  to-morrow  morning? " 

"Nay,  friend,  I  think  I  shall  tarry  a  day  or  two. 
Is  that  lad  thy  son? " 

"Tony,  he  asks  if  you  are  my  son,"  said  James, 
laughing.  "No,  his  name  is  Tony  Rugg,  while 
mine  is  James  Woodley." 

' '  Anthony,  was  thee  born  in  this  town? "  asked  the 
tramp,  boldly  defying  detection. 

"No,  sir,"  answered  Tony.  "I  only  came  here  a 
few  weeks  ago." 


RUDOLPH  HEARS  OF  TONY.         139 

"Yea,  verily,"  was  the  only  comment  Endolph 
made. 

' '  I'd  like  to  choke  the  boy.  I  can  hardly  keep  my 
hands  off  him,"  he  said  to  himself.  "But  I'd  bet- 
ter be  going.  He  is  looking  at  me  closely.  He 
might  suspect  something." 

"Good -night,"  he  said,  and  the  two  responded 
civilly  to  the  salutation. 

"Well,  Tony,  what  do  you  think  of  Broadbrim?" 
asked  James. 

' '  I  don't  know,  there's  something  in  his  voice  that 
sounds  familiar  to  me." 

"  Perhaps  you  may  have  met  him  somewhere  be- 
fore," suggested  the  hostler. 

"No,  I  am  sure  I  have  not.  I  never  met  any 
Quaker  before." 

"  Well,  there's  strange  likenesses  sometimes.  Did 
I  ever  tell  you  my  adventure  out  in  Maine? " 

"No,  what  was  it?  " 

"  I  went  down  East  to  see  a  sifter  of  mine  that  is 
married  down  near  Augusta.  When,  as  I  was  goin' 
through  Portland,  a  woman  came  up  and  made  a 
great  ado  about  my  deserting  her.  She  took  me 
for  her  husband,  and  came  near  having  me  arrested 
for  desertion.  You  see  I  and  her  husband  was  as 
like  as  two  peas,  that's  what  some  of  her  neighbors 
said." 

"  How  did  you  get  off? " 

"  Luckily  I  had  documents  in  my  pocket  showing 
who  I  was.  Besides,  my  brother-in-law  happened 
to  be  in  the  city,  and  he  identified  me." 


140  TONY,   THE  HERO. 

Eudolph  sat  in  the  public  room  of  the  hotel  for  a 
time,  and  then  he  went  up  to  his  room,  partly  to  be 
out  of  the  way  of  possible  recognition,  partly  to 
think  how  he  could  manage  to  get  Tony  into  his 
clutches  once  more,  without  betraying  himself,  or 
exciting  any  interference. 

He  had  a  back  room,  the  window  of  which  looked 
out  upon  the  stable-yard.  He  seated  himself  at  this 
window,  and  in  this  position  could  easily  see  and 
hear  all  that  passed  there. 

Tony  and  the  hostler  were  lounging  about,  the 
latter  smoking  a  clay  pipe,  their  work  being  done 
for  the  day. 

"  Tony,"  said  the  hostler,  "I  almost  forgot  to  tell 
you,  you're  to  go  to  Thornton  to-morrow. " 

"What  for?" 

"There's  a  top-buggy  Mr.  Porter  has  sold  to  a 
man  there.  You're  to  take  it  over,  and  lead  the 
horse  back." 

"How  far  is  it?" 

"  About  five  miles." 

"All  right.  I'd  just  as  leave  go  as  stay  here.  Can 
I  find  the  road  easily?" 

"There's  no  trouble  about  that.  It's  straight  all 
the  way.  Part  of  it  runs  through  the  woods — about 
a  mile,  I  should  say." 

"Did  Mr.  Porter  say  when  he  wanted  me  to 
start?" 

"About  nine  o'clock;  by  that  time  you'll  be 
through  your  chores." 

"Well,  I'm  willing." 


RUDOLPH  HEARS  OF  TONY.  141 

Eudolph  heard  this  conversation  with  no  little 
pleasure. 

i(  It's  the  very  chance  I  was  waiting  for,"  he  said 
.o  himself.  "I'll  he  in  wait  for  him  as  he  comes 
back.     I  can  easily  hide  in  the  woods." 


TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE   NEGLECTED   WELL. 

Rudolph  took  care  to  breakfast  in  good  season 
the  next  morning.  He  felt  that  this  day  was  to 
make  his  fortune.  The  deed  which  would  entitle 
him  to  a  life  support  was  to  be  perpetrated  on  that 
day.  He  shuddered  a  little  when  he  reflected  that 
in  order  to  compass  this  a  life  must  be  sacrificed, 
and  that  the  life  of  the  boy  who  had  been  for  years 
under  his  guardianship,  who  had  slept  at  his  side, 
and  borne  with  him  the  perils  and  privations  of  his 
adventurous  career.  He  was  a  reckless  man,  but 
he  had  never  before  shed  blood,  or  at  any  rate  taken 
the  life  of  a  human  being.  He  would  have  been 
less  than  human  if  the  near  approach  of  such  a 
crime  had  not  made  him  nervous  and  uncomforta- 
ble. 

But  against  this  feeling  he  fought  strenuously. 

"What's  the  odds?"  he  said  to  himself.  "The 
boy's  got  to  die  some  time  or  other,  and  his  dying 
now  will  make  me  comfortable  for  life.  Xo  more 
hungry  tramps  for  me.  I'll  settle  down  and  be  re- 
spectable. Eight  hundred  dollars  a  year  will  relieve 
me  from  all  care,  and  I  shall  only  need  to  enjoy  my- 
self after  this. 

Rudolph  must  have  had  strange  notions  of  respect- 


THE  NEGLECTED   WELL.  143 

ability  to  think  it  could  be  obtained  by  crime ;  but 
in  fact  his  idea  was  that  a  man  who  could  live  on 
his  own  means  was  from  that  very  power  respecta- 
ble, and  there  are  plenty  of  persons  of  a  higher  so. 
cial  grade  who  share  in  this  delusion, 

At  a  few  miuutes  after  nine  Tony  set  out  on  his 
journey.  It  never  occurred  to  him  that  the  old 
Quaker  in  suit  of  sober  drab,  who  sat  on  the  piazza 
and  saw  him  depart,  was  a  man  who  cherished  sin- 
ister besigns  upon  him.  In  fact,  he  had  forgotten 
all  about  him,  and  was  intent  upon  his  journey 
alone.  Most  boys  like  to  drive,  and  our  friend 
Tony  was  no  exception  to  this  general  rule.  He 
thought  it  much  better  than  working  about  the 
stable-yard. 

"  Take  care  of  yourself,  Tony,"  said  James,  the 
hostler,  in  a  friendly  tone. 

"Oh,  yes,  111  do  that,"  said  Tony,  little  dreaming 
how  necessary  the  admonition  was  likely  to  prove. 

"I  may  as  well  be  starting  too,"  thought 
Eudolph,  and  some  ten  minutes  afterward  he 
started  at  a  walk  along  the  road  which  led  to  Thorn- 
ton. 

"I'll  keep  on  as  far  as  the  woods,"  he  thought, 
"and  then  I'll  form  my  plans.  The  boy  must  not 
escape  me,  for  I  may  never  have  as  good  a  chance 
to  dispose  of  him  again." 

About  two  miles  on  began  the  woods  to  which 
reference  has  already  been  made.  The  tramp  se- 
lected this  as  probably  the  best  part  of  the  road  to 
accomplish  his  criminal  design. 


144  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

They  extended  for  nearly  a  mile  on  either  side  of 
the  road,  and  this  was  likely  to  facilitate  his  pur- 
pose. 

"HI  explore  a  little,"  thought  Rudolph.  "I 
shall  have  plenty  of  time  before  the  boy  comes 
back." 

Some  forty  rods  from  the  road  on  the  right  hand 
side,  the  tramp  discovered  a  ruined  hut,  which  had 
once  belonged  to  a  recluse  who  had  for  years  lived 
apart  from  his  kind.  This  had  now  fallen  into  de- 
cay, for  the  former  occupant  had  been  for  some  time 
dead,  and  no  one  had  been  tempted  to  succeed  him. 

The  general  appearance  of  the  building  satisfied 
Euclolph  that  it  was  deserted.  Impelled  partly  by 
curiosity, he  explored  the  neighborhood  of  the  house. 

A  rod  to  the  east  there  was  a  well,  open  to  the 
view,  the  curb  having  decayed,  and  being  in  a  ruined 
condition,  Rudolph  looked  down  into  it,  and  judged 
that  it  might  be  about  twenty  feet  deep. 

A  diabolical  suggestion  came  to  him.  If  he  could 
only  lure  Tony  to  this  well  and  dispose  of  him  for- 
ever. " 

"  I'll  do  it,"  he  muttered  to  himself,  and  started 
to  return  to  the  road,  where  he  hoped  to  intercept 
our  hero. 

Poor  Tony  !  he  little  dreamed  of  the  danger  that 
menaced  him. 


THE   DEED   IS   DONE.  145 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE  DEED   IS   DONE. 

Tony  drove  rapidly  to  Thornton  and  sought  the 
purchaser  of  the  buggy.  There  was  a  delay  of  half 
an  hour  m  rinding  him,  but  at  last  his  business  was 
done,  and  he  set  out  for  home. 

It  was  not  quite  so  amusing  leading  the  horse  as 
sitting  in  a  buggy  and  driving  him.  But  all  our 
pleasures  have  to  be  paid  for,  and  Tony  was  ready 
to  pay  the  price  of  this  one.  After  all,  he  reflected, 
it  was  quite  as  amusing  as  working  about  the 
stable  yard,  especial^  after  it  occurred  to  him  to 
mount  the  animal  and  thus  spare  himself  fatigue. 

Everything*  went  smoothly  till  he  entered  the 
woody  part  of  the  road. 

"  Now  I  shall  be  home  soon,"  he  said  to  himself. 
"But,  hallo!  who's  that?"  as  a  figure  stepped  out 
from  the  side  of  the  road.  "  Oh,  it's  the  Quaker.  I 
wonder  what  brought  him  here? " 

u  Friend,  is  thee  in  a  hurry?"  asked  the  impostor. 

"I  suppose  I  ought  to  get  back  as  soon  as  I  can," 
said  Tony.     "  Why,  what's  up?" 

"Thee  is  the  boy  from  the  hotel,  is  thee  not?" 
asked  Rudolph. 

"Yes.  You're  the  Quaker  gentleman  that  is  stop- 
ping  there? " 


146  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"Yes." 

"  Well,  what  do  you  want  of  me?" 

"There's  a  man  in  the  woods  that  has  fallen  down 
a  well,  and  I  fear  lis  is  badly  hurt." 

"  A  man  fallen  down  a  well!  "  exclaimed  Tony. 

"Yes." 

"Where  is  the  well?" 

"  Back  in  the  woods." 

"  How  did  you  find  him? " 

' '  I  was  walking  for  amusement  when  I  heard 
groans,  and  looking  down  I  could  see  the  poor 
man." 

Tony  never  thought  of  doubting  this  statement, 
and  said,  in  a  tone  of  genuine  sympathy:  "Poor 
fellow!" 

"  Will  thee  go  with  me  and  help  get  him  out  ?" 
asked  the  Quaker. 

"Yes,"  said  Tony,  readily,  "I'll  do  it.  Never 
mind  if  I  am  a  little  late.  Where  shall  I  put  the 
horse?" 

"  Lead  him  into  the  woods  and  tie  him  to  a  tree." 

"All  right.     I  guess  that'll  be  the  best  way." 

The  horse  was  disposed  of  as  had  been  suggested, 
and  the  two  set  forth  on  what  Tony  supposed  to  be 
their  charitable  errand. 

"  I  don't  see  what  made  you  go  into  the  woods?" 
said  our  hero,  a  little  puzzled. 

' '  I  was  brought  up  in  the  woods,  my  young  friend. 

It  reminds  me  of  the  time  when  I  was  a  boy  like 
thee." 

"  Oh,  that's  it.     Well,  it  was  lucky  for  the  man. 


THE  DEED   IS  DOXE.  lit 

that  is  if  we  can  get  him  out.  Did  you  speak  to 
him?" 

"Yes,  verily." 

"And  did  he  answer?" 

"He  groaned.  I  think  he  was  insensible.  I  saw 
that  I  should  need  help,  and  I  came  to  the  road 
again.     Luckily  thee  came  by." 

"  Had  you  been  waiting  long? " 

"Only  five  minutes,"  answered  Rudolph. 

In  reality  he  had  been  compelled  to  wait  near  an 
hour,  much  to  his  disgust.  In  fact,  he  had  been  led 
to  fear  that  there  might  be  some  other  road  by 
which  one  could  return  from  Thornton,  and  that 
Tony  had  taken  it.  Should  this  be  the  case,  his 
elaborate  trap  would  be  useless. 

They  had  come  quite  near  the  ruined  dwelling, 
and  already  the  curb  of  the  well  was  visible. 

"  Is  that  the  well?"  asked  Tony. 

"Yes,"  answered  the  Quaker. 

"Let  us  hurry,  then,"  said  Tony. 

But  the  time  had  come  when  Tony  was  to  have 
revealed  to  him  the  real  character  of  his  compan- 
ion. A  branch,  which  hung  unusually  low,  knocked 
off  the  hat  and  wig  of  the  pseudo  Quaker,  and  Tony 
was  petrified  with  dismay  when  he  saw  revealed 
the  black,  cropped  head  and  sinister  face  of  Ru- 
dolph, the  tramp. 

"Rudolph!"  he  exclaimed,  stopping  short  in  his 
amazement. 

"Yes,"  said  the  tramp,  avowing  himself,  now  that 
he  saw  disguise  was  useless;  "  it's  Rudolph.  At  last 


14:8  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

I  have  you,  you  young  scamp ! "  and  he  seized  the 
boy's  arm  as  in  the  grip  of  a  vise. 

Tony  tried  to  shake  off  the  grip,  but  what  could 
a  boy  do  against  an  athletic  man. 

k '  It's  no  use, "  said  the  tramp,  between  his  teeth, 
I've  got  you,  and  I  don't  mean  to  let  you  go. " 

"What  do  you  mean  to  do,  Eudolph?"  asked 
Tony,  uneasily. 

"  What  do  I  mean  to  do?  I  mean  to  make  you 
repent  of  what  you've  done  to  me,  you  young 
whelp." 

"What  have  I  done?" 

"What  haven't  you  done?  You've  betrayed  me, 
and  sold  me  to  my  enemies.  That's  what  you've 
done. " 

"I've  only  clone  what  I  was  obliged  to  do.  I 
don't  want  to  do  you  any  more  harm.  Let  me  go, 
and  I  won't  meddle  with  you  any  more,  nor  say  a 
word  about  you  at  the  hotel." 

"Really,"  said  Rudolph,  with  a  disagreeable  sneer, 
' '  I  feel  very  much  obliged  to  you.  You  are  very 
kind,  upon  my  soul.  So  you  won't  tell  them  at  the 
hotel  that  the  Quaker  gentleman  is  only  a  tramp 
after  all. 

"No,  I  will  say  nothing  about  you." 

"  I  don't  think  you  are  to  be  trusted,  boy." 

"  Did  you  ever  know  me  to  tell  a  he,  Rudolph?" 
asked  Tony,  proudly.  {iI  don't  pretend  to  be  a 
model  boy,  but  there's  one  thing  I  won't  do,  and 
that  is  lie." 

' '  I  think  I  had  better  make  sure  that  you  don't 


THE  DEED   IS  DONE.  149 

say  anything  about  me,"  said  the  tramp,  signifi- 
cantly. 

"How?"  asked  Tony. 

"I  don't  mean  to  let  you  go  back  to  the  hotel  at 
all." 

"But  I  must  go  back.  I  must  drive  the  horse 
back." 

"  That's  of  no  importance." 

"Yes,  it  is,"  persisted  Tony,  anxiously.  "They 
will  think  I  have  stolen  it." 

"  Let  them  think  so." 

"  But  I  don't  want  them  to  think  me  a  thief." 

"I  can't  help  it." 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do  with  me?  Where  are 
we  going? " 

"Before  I  tell  you  that  I  will  tell  you  something 
more.     You  have  often  asked  me  who  you  were." 

"You  always  told  me  I  was  your  son. 

"It  was  not  true,"  said  Eudolph,  calmly.  "  You 
are  not  related  to  me." 

"I  felt  sure  of  it." 

"Oh,  you  did!"  sneered  the  tramp.  "You  are 
glad  that  you  are  not  my  son! " 

"Who  ami?" 

"  I  will  tell  you  this  much,  that  you  are  the  heir 
to  a  fortune." 

"I  the  heir  to  a  fortune!"  exclaimed  Tony,  in 
natural  excitement. 

"Yes;  and  I  could  help  you  to  secure  it  if  I 
pleased." 

Tony  knew  not  what  to  say  or  to  think.     Was  it 


150  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

possible  that  he — Tony,  the  tramp — was  a  gentle- 
man's son,  and  heir  to  a  fortune?  It  was  almost 
incredible.  Moreover,  what  was  the  object  of  Ru- 
dolph in  imparting  this  secret,  and  at  this  time, 
when  he  sought  revenge  upon  him. 

"  Is  this  true? "  he  asked. 

"Perfectly  true." 

"And  you  know  my  real  name  and  family?" 

"Yes,  I  do." 

"Oh,  Rudolph,  tell  me  who  I  am,"  Tony  said, 
imploringly.  "  Help  me  to  the  fortune  which  you  say 
I  am  entitled  to,  and  I  will  take  care  that  you  are 
rewarded." 

Rudolph  surveyed  the  boy,  whom  he  still  held  in 
his  firm  grasp,  and  watched  his  excitement  with 
malicious  satisfaction. 

"  There  is  one  objection  to  my  doing  that,  boy,"  he 
said. 

"What  is  that?" 

"  I'll  tell  you,"  he  hissed,  as  his  grasp  grew  tight- 
er, and  his  dark  face  grew  darker  yet  with  passion, 
"  I  hate  youl" 

This  he  uttered  with  such  intensity  that  Tony, 
brave  as  he  was,  was  startled  and  dismayed. 

"  Then  why  did  you  tell  me? "  he  asked. 

"That  you  might  know  what  you  are  going  to 
lose — that  you  might  repent  betraying  me,"  an- 
swered Rudolph,  rapidly.  "  You  ask  me  what  I  am 
going  to  do  with  you?  I  am  going  to  throw  you 
down  that  well,  and  leave  you  there — to  die!  " 

Then  commenced  a  struggle  between  the  man 


THE  DEED  IS  DONE.  151 

and  boy.  Tony  knew  what  he  had  to  expect,  and 
he  fought  for  dear  life.  Rudolph  found  that  he  had 
undertaken  no  light  task,  but  he,  too,  was  desperate. 
He  succeeded  at  last  in  dragging  Tony  to  the  well- 
curb,  and,  raising  him  in  his  sinewy  arms,  he  let 
him  fall. 

Then,  without  waiting  to  look  down,  he  hurried 
out  of  the  wood  with  all  speed.  He  reached  the 
hotel,  settled  his  bill,  and  paid  to  have  himself  car- 
ried over  to  the  nearest  railroad  station. 

Not  until  he  was  fairly  seated  in  the  cars,  and 
was  rushing  through  the  country  at  the  rate  of 
thirty  miles  an  hour,  did  he  pause  to  congratulate 
himself. 

"Now  for  an  easy  life!"  he  ejaculated.  "My 
fortune  is  made !    I  shall  never  have  to  work  any 


152 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


On  reaching  New  York,  Rudolph  made  his  way 
at  once  to  the  shop  from  which  he  had  obtained  his 
Quaker  dress. 

"  Has  thee  come  back  ?  "  asked  the  old  man,  in  a 
jocular  tone. 

"Yea,  verily,"  answered  Rudolph. 

"  How  do  you  like  being  a  Quaker  ?  " 

' '  I've  had  enough  of  it.  I  want  you  to  take  them 
back.  You  promised  to  return  me  twenty-five 
dollars." 

"  Let  me  look  at  them,"  said  the  old  man,  cau- 
tiously. 

"They've  seen  hard  usage,"  he  said.  "Look  at 
that  rip,  and  that  spot." 

"  Humbug  !  "  answered  Rudolph.  "  There's  noth- 
ing but  what  you  can  set  straight  in  half  an  hour, 
and  five  dollars  is  handsome  pay  for  that. " 

But  the  old  man  stood  out  for  seven,  and  finally 
the  tramp,  though  grumbling  much,  was  obliged  to 
come  to  his  terms. 

"Where  have  you  been?"  asked  the  old  man, 
whose  curiosity  was  aroused  as  to  what  prompted 
Rudolph  to  obtain  the  disguise. 

"  That's  my  business, "said  Rudolph,  who  had  his 
reasons  for  secrecy,  as  we  know. 


153 

"  1  meant  no  offense — I  only  wondered  if  yon  left 
the  city." 

"Yes,  I've  been  into  New  Jersey,"  answered  the 
tramp,  who  thought  it  politic  to  put  the  customer 
on  the  wrong  scent.  "You  see  I've  got  an  old 
uncle — a  Quaker — living  there.  The  old  man's  got 
plenty  of  money,  and  I  thought  if  I  could  only 
make  him  thiDk  me  a  good  Quaker,  I  should  stand 
a  good  chance  of  being  remembered  in  his  will." 

"  I  see — a  capital  idea.     Did  it  work  ? " 

"I  can't  tell  yet.  He  gave  me  four  dollars  and  his 
blessing  for  the  present,"  said  Eudolph,  carelessly. 

"  That's  a  lie  every  word  of  it,"  said  the  old  man 
to  himself,  after  the  tramp  went  out.  "You  must 
try  to  fix  up  a  more  probable  story  next  time,  Mr. 
Eudolph.  He's  been  up  to  some  mischief,  proba- 
bly. However,  it's  none  of  my  business,  I've  made 
seven  dollars  out  of  him,  and  that  pays  me  well — 
yes,  it  pays  me  well." 

When  Rudolph  left  the  costumer's,  it  occurred 
to  him  that  the  tramp's  dress  which  he  had  resumed 
had  better  be  changed,  partly  because  he  thought 
it  probable  that  a  journey  lay  before  him.  He  sought 
out  a  large  ready-made  clothing  establishment  on 
Fulton  street,  and  with  the  money  which  had  been 
returned  to  him  obtained  a  respectable-looking  suit, 
which  quite  improved  his  appearance.  He  regarded 
his  reflection  in  a  long  mirror  with  considerable  sat- 
isfaction. He  felt  that  he  would  now  be  taken  for 
a  respectable  citizen,  and  that  in  discarding  his  old 
dress  he  had  removed  all  vestiges  of  the  tramp.    In 


154  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

this,  however,  he  was  not  wholly  right.  His  face 
and  general  expression  he  could  not  change.  A 
careful  observer  could  read  in  them  something  of 
the  life  he  had  lead.  Still  he  was  changed  for  the 
better,  and  it  pleased  him. 

"Xow,"  he  reflected,  "I  had  better  go  and  see 
Mrs.  Harvey  Middleton.  I  have  done  the  work,  and 
I  shall  claim  the  reward." 

He  hurried  to  the  St.  Nicholas,  and,  experienced 
now  in  the  ways  of  obtaining  access  to  a  guest,  he 
wrote  his  name  on  a  card  and  sent  it  up. 

"  The  lady  will  see  you,"  was  the  answer  brought 
back  by  the  servant. 

"  Of  course  she  will,"  thought  Eudolph.  "  She'U 
want  to  know  whether  it's  all  settled,  and  she  has 
no  further  cause  for  fear. " 

Mrs.  Middleton  looked  up  as  he  entered. 

"Sit  down,  Mr.  Eugg,"  she  said,  politely. 

Her  manner  was  cool  and  composed;  but  when 
the  servant  had  left  the  room,  she  rose  from  her 
chair,  and  in  a  tone  which  showed  the  anxiety 
which  she  had  till  then  repressed,  she  asked,  ab- 
ruptly :  ' '  Well,  Mr.  Rugg,  have  you  any  news  for 
me  ? " 

"Yes,  ma'am,  I  have,"  he  answered,  deliberately. 

"What  is  it  ?  Don't  keep  me  in  suspense,"  she 
said,  impatiently. 

"  The  job's  done,"  said  Rudolph  briefly. 

"  You  mean  that  the  boy — 

"  Accidentally  fell  down  a  well,  and  was  killed," 
said  the  visitor,  finishing  the  sentence. 


"i  HOLD  YOU   TO   THE   BOND."  155 

"  Horrible  !"  murmured  the  lady. 

"  Wasn't  it?"  said  Rudolph,  with  a  grin.  "He 
must  have  been  very  careless." 

Mrs.  Middleton  did  not  immediately  speak. 
Though  she  was  responsible  for  this  crime,  having 
instigated  it,  she  was  really  shocked  when  it  was 
brought  home  to  her. 

"You  are  sure  he  is  dead?"  she  said,  after  a 
pause. 

"When  a  chap  pitches  head-first  down  a  well 
thirty  feet  deep,  there  isn't  much  hope  for  him,  is 
there? " 

"No,  I  suppose  not.  Where  did  this  accident 
happen? "  asked  the  lady. 

' '  That  ain't  important, "  answered  Rudolph.  "It's 
happened — that's  all  you  need  to  know.  Tony  won't 
never  come  after  that  estate  of  his." 

"  It  would  have  done  him  little  good.  He  was  not 
fitted  by  education  to  assume  it." 

"No;  but  he  might  have  been  educated.  But 
that's  all  over  now.  It's  your's.  Nobody  can  take 
it  from  you." 

"True! "  said  Mrs.  Middleton,  and  a  look  of  pleas- 
ure succeeded  the  momentary  horror.  "You  will 
be  ready  to  testify  that  the  boy  is  dead? " 

"  There  won't  be  any  danger,  will  there?  They 
won't  ask  too  many  questions  ? " 

"  As  to  that,  I  think  we  had  better  decide  what 
we  will  say.  It  won't  be  necessary  to  say  how  the 
boy  died." 

"Won't  it?" 


156  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"  No.  Indeed,  it  will  be  better  to  give  a  different 
account." 

"Wfll  that  do  just  as  well? " 

"  Yes.  You  can  say,  for  instance,  that  he  died  of 
small-pox  while  under  your  care  in  St.  Louis,  or  any 
other  place." 

' f  And  that  I  tended  him  to  the  last  with  the  af- 
fection of  a  father, "  added  Eudolph,  grinning. 

"  To  be  sure.  You  must  settle  upon  all  the  de- 
tails of  the  story,  so  as  not  to  be  caught  in  any  dis- 
crepancies. " 

"What's  that?"  asked  the  tramp,  rather  mysti- 
fied. 

' '  Your  story  must  hang  together.  It  mustn't  con- 
tradict itself." 

v  i  To  be  sure.  How  long  are  you  going  to  stay  in 
New  York?" 

"There  is  no  further  occasion  for  my  staying 
here.     I  shall  sail  to  England  in  a  week." 

"Will  it  be  all  right  about  the  money?"  asked 
Eudolph,  anxiously. 

"Certainly." 

"  How  am  I  to  be  sure  of  that  ? " 

"The  word  of  a  lady,  sir,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton, 
haughtily,  "  ought  to  be  sufficient  for  you." 

"  That's  all  very  well,  but  suppose  you  should  get 
tired  of  paying  me  the  money  ?  " 

' '  Then  you  could  make  it  very  disagreeable  for 
me  by  telling  all  you  know  about  the  boy.  How- 
ever, there  will  be  no  occasion  for  that.  I  shall 
keep  my  promise.  Will  you  be  willing  to  sail  for 
England  next  week."  _ 


157 

"  Do  you  mean  that  I  am  to  go  with  you  ? " 

"I  mean  that  you  are  to  go.  Your  testimony 
must  be  given  on  the  other  side,  in  order  to  make 
clear  my  title  to  the  estate." 

"  I  see,  ma'am.  If  I'd  known  that  I  wouldn't  have 
had  no  fears  about  the  money." 

"  You  need  have  none,  Mr.  Eugg,"  said  Mrs.  Mid- 
dleton,  coldly.  "  The  fact  is,  we  are  necessary  to 
each  other.  Each  can  promote  the  interests  of  the 
other." 

"  That's  so,  ma'am.  Let's  shake  hands  on  that," 
said  Eudolph,  advancing  with  outstretched  hand. 

"No,  thank  you,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton,  coldly. 
"  You  forget  yourself,  sir.  Do  not  forget  that  I  am 
a  lady,  and  that  you  are — " 

"  We  are  equal,  ma'am  in  this  matter,"  said  Ru- 
dolph, offended.  "  You  needn't  shrink  from  shak- 
ing hands  with  me." 

Ce  That  is  not  in  the  agreement,"  said  Mrs.  Middle- 
ton,  haughtily.  "I  shall  do  what  I  have  agreed,  but 
except  so  far  as  it  is  necessary  in  the  way  of  busi- 
ness, I  wish  you  to  keep  yourself  away  from  me. 
We  belong  to  different  grades  in  society. " 

' '  Why  didn't  you  say  that  the  other  day,  ma'am  ? " 
said  Eudolph,  frowning. 

"Because  I  didn't  suppose  it  to  be  necessary. 
You  did  not  offer  to  shake  hands  with  me  then. 
Besides,  at  that  time  you  had  not — " 

"  Pushed  the  boy  down  the  well,  if  that's  what 
you  mean,"  said  Eudolph,  bluntly. 

"  Hush  !  don't  refer  to  that.  I  advise  you  this  for 
your  own  sake." 


158  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"And  for  the  sake  of  somebody  else." 

"Mr.  Eugg,  all  this  discussion  is  idle.  It  can  do 
no  good.  For  whatever  service  you  have  rendered, 
you  shall  be  well  paid.  That  you  understand.  But 
it  is  best  that  we  should  know  as  little  of  each  other 
henceforth  as  possible.  It  might  excite  suspicion, 
as  you  can  understand. " 

" Perhaps  you  are  right,  ma'am,"  said  Eudolph, 
slowly. 

"  Call  here  day  after  to-morrow,  and  I  will  let  you 
know  by  what  steamer  I  take  passage  for  England, 
that  you  may  obtain  a  ticket.     Good  afternoon." 

Eudolph  left  the  lady's  presence  not  wholly 
pleased. 

"Why  wouldn't  she  shake  my  hand  ?"  he  mut- 
tered to  himself.     "  She's  as  deep  in  it  as  I  am." 


TONY'S  ESCAPE.  159 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 
tony's  escape. 

We  must  now  return  to  our  young  hero,  who  was 
certainly  in  a  critical  position.  Though  strong  of 
his  age,  the  reader  will  hardly  be  surprised  that  he 
should  have  been  overpowered  by  a  man  like  Ru- 
dolph. 

When  the  false  Quaker's  hat  and  wig  were  taken 
off,  though  he  was  at  first  surprised,  he  for  the  first 
time  understood  why  the  man's  face  and  voice  had 
seemed  familiar  to  him  from  the  time  they  first  met. 

He  struggled  in  vain  against  the  fate  in  store  for 
him.  He  felt  that  with  him  it  was  to  be  a  matter 
of  life  and  death,  and  taken  by  surprise  though  he 
was,  he  was  on  the  alert  to  save  his  life  if  he  could. 

The  well  curb  was  partially  destroyed,  as  we  have 
said,  but  the  rope  still  hung  from  it.  At  the  instant 
of  his  fall,  Tony  managed  while  in  transit  to  grasp 
the  rope  by  one  hand.  He  swung  violently  from 
one  side  to  the  other,  and  slipped  a  few  feet  down- 
ward. This  Rudolph  did  not  see,  for  as  soon  as  he 
had  hurled  the  boy  into  the  well  he  hurried  away. 

Tony  waited  for  the  rope  to  become  steady  before 
attempting  to  ascend  hand  over  hand.  Unfortun- 
ately for  his  purpose  the  rope  was  rotten,  and  broke 
just  above  where  he  grasped  it,  precipitating  him  to 


1G0  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

the  bottom  of  the  well.  But  he  was  already  so  far 
from  the  opening  that  his  fall  was  not  over  ten  feet, 
Luckily  also  the  water  was  not  over  two  feet  in 
depth.  Therefore,  though  he  was  jarred  and  start- 
led by  the  sudden  descent,  he  was  not  injured. 

"  Well,"  thought  Tony,  "  I'm  as  low  as  I  can  get 
— that's  one  comfort.  Now  is  there  any  chance  of 
my  getting  out?" 

He  looked  up,  and  it  gave  him  a  peculiar  sensa- 
tion to  look  up  at  the  blue  sky  from  the  place  where 
he  stood.  He  feared  that  Eudolph  was  still  at  hand 
and  would  resist  any  efforts  he  might  make  to  get 
out  of  the  well. 

"If  he  don't  interfere  I'm  bound  to  get  out,"  he 
said  to  himself,  pluckily. 

His  feet  were  wet,  of  course,  and  this  was  far 
from  comfortable. 

He  made  a  brief  examination  of  the  situation, 
and  then  decided  upon  his  plan.  The  well,  like 
most  in  the  country,  was  provided  by  a  wall  of 
stones,  piled  one  upon  another.  In  parts  it  looked 
rather  loose,  and  Tony  shuddered  as  he  thought  of 
the  possibility  of  the  walls  falhng,  and  his  being 
buried  in  the  ruins. 

"It  would  be  all  up  with  me,  then,"  he  thought, 
"  I  must  get  out  of  this  as  soon  as  I  can.  If  I  can 
only  climb  up  as  far  as  the  rope  I  can  escape. " 

This,  in  fact,  seemed  to  be  his  only  chance.  Using 
the  wall  as  a  ladder,  he  began  cautiously  to  ascend. 
More  than  once  he  came  near  falling  a  second  time, 
but  by  greatest  exertion  he  finally  reached  the  rope. 


TONY'S  ESCAPE.  161 

He  did  not  dare  to  trust  to  it  entirely,  but  contrived 
to  ascend  as  before,  clinging  to  the  rope  with  his 
hands.  He  was  in  constant  fear  that  it  would  break 
a  second  time,  but  the  strain  upon  it  was  not  so 
great,  and  finally,  much  to  his  delight,  he  reached 
the  top. 

He  breathed  a  deep  sigh  of  relief  when  he  found 
himself  once  more  on  terra  firma.  He  looked  about 
him  cautiously,  under  the  apprehension  that  Ru- 
dolph might  be  near  by,  and  ready  to  attack  him 
again.  But,  as  we  know,  his  fears  were  ground- 
less. 

"He  made  sure  that  I  was  disposed  of,"  thought 
Tony.  "  What  could  have  induced  him  to  attempt 
my  life?  Can  it  be  true,  as  he  said,  that  I  am  hen 
to  a  fortune?  Why  couldn't  he  tell  me?  I  would 
have  paid  him  well  for  the  information  when  I  got 
my  money.  Then  he  said  he  knew  who  I  was — I 
care  more  for  that  than  the  money." 

But  Tony  could  not  dwell  upon  these  thoughts. 
The  claims  of  duty  were  paramount.  He  must 
seek  the  horse,  and  go  back  to  the  hotel.  He  had 
been  detained  already  for  nearly  three-quarters  of 
an  hour,  and  they  wouM  be  wondering  what  had 
become  of  him. 

He  made  his  way  as  quickly  as  possible  to  where 
he  had  tied  the  horse.  But  he  looked  for  him  in 
vain.  He  had  been  untied  and  led  away — perhaps 
stolen.  Tony  felt  assured  that  the  horse  of  himself 
could  not  leave  the  spot. 

"  It  must  be  Rudolph,"  he  said  to  himself.     "  He 


162  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

has  made  off  with  the  horse.     Now  I  am  in  trouble. 
What  will  Mr.  Porter -say  to  me?" 

Tony  was  in  error,  as  we  know,  in  concluding 
that  Rudolph  had  carried  away  the  horse.  The 
tramp  had  no  use  for  him.  Besides,  he  knew  that 
such  a  proceeding  would  have  exposed  him  to  sus- 
picion, which  it  was  very  important  for  him  to 
avoid. 

Who,  then,  had  taken  the  horse?  That  is  a  ques- 
tion which  we  are  able  to  answer,  though  Tony 
could  not. 

Fifteen  minutes  before  Sam  Payson,  whose  place 
Tom  had  taken,  with  a  companion,  Ben  Hardy, 
while  wandering  through  the  woods  had  espied  a 
horse. 

"  Hallo! "  said  Ben,  "  here's  a  horse." 

"So  it  is,"  said  Sam.  "It's  rather  odd  that  he 
should  be  tied  here." 

"  I  wonder  whose  it  is?  " 

Sam  had  been  examining  him  carefully,  and  had 
recognized  him. 

"  It's  Mr.  Porter's  Bill.  Don't  you  see  that  white 
spot?  That's  the  way  I  know  him.  I  have  har- 
nessed that  horse  fifty  times." 

"But  how  did  he  come  here?  That's  the  ques- 
tion? " 

"I'll  tell  you,"  said  Sam.  "I  was  at  the  hotel 
this  morning,  and  heard  that  that  boy  Tony  was  to 
go  over  to  Thornton  with  him." 

"That  don't  explain  why  he  is  tied  here,  does  it?" 

"  Tony  must  have  tied  him  while  he  was  taking  a 


tony's  escape.  163 

tramp  in  the  woods.  Wouldn't  Porter  be  mad  if  he 
knew  it?  " 

"  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  Tony  would  get  bounced." 

"  Nor  I.  I  tell  you  what,  Ben,  I've  a  great  mind 
to  untie  the  horse,  and  take  him  back  myself." 

"What's  the  good?  It  would  be  an  awful  job. 
We  came  out  here  to  have  some  fun,"  grumbled 
Ben. 

"This  would  be  fun  to  me.  I'll  get  Tony  into 
trouble,  and  very  likely  get  back  the  place  he  cheat- 
ed me  out  of.     I  guess  it'll  pay. " 

"All  right,  Sam.  I  didn't  think  of  that.  I'd  like 
to  see  how  Tony  looks  when  he  comes  back,  and 
finds  the  horse  gone." 

"  It'll  serve  him  right,"  said  Sam.  "What  busi- 
ness had  he  to  interfere  with  me,  I'd  like  to  know." 

"  If  you're  going  to  do  it  you'd  better  hurry  up. 
He  may  go  back  any  time." 

"That's  so.     Here  goes,  then." 

In  a  trice  Bill  was  untied,  and  Sam  taking  the 
halter  led  him  away.  When  Tony  came  up  he  was 
not  in  sight. 

Though  Tony  felt  convinced  that  Eudolph  had 
carried  away  the  horse,  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to 
look  about  for  it.  There  was  a  bare  chance  that  he 
might  find  it  somewhere  in  the  wood.  In  this  way 
he  lost  considerable  time.  Had  he  started  for  the 
hotel  immediately  he  would  very  likely  have  over- 
taken the  two  boys. 

Sam  kept  on  his  way,  and  finally  arrived  at  the 
hotel. 


16^  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

As  he  led  the  horse  into  the  stable-yard  James, 
the  hostler,  exclaimed  in  surprise : 

"  How  came  you  by  that  horse,  Sam  Payson?" 

"  Is  that  the  way  you  thank  me  for  bringing  him 
back? "  asked  Sam. 

"  He  left  the  stable  under  the  charge  of  Tony  Rugg 
this  morning." 

"  Pretty  care  he  takes  of  him,  then." 

"  What  do  you  mean?  Where  did  you  find  him?" 

"  Down  in  the  woods.'' 

"  What  woods?" 

"  Between  here  and  Thornton." 

"  Wasn't  Tony  with  him?  " 

"No." 

"Are  you  sure  of  that?  Are  you  sure  you  two 
boys  didn't  attack  Tony  and  take  the  horse  away? " 
demanded  James,  suspiciously. 

"No,  we  didn't.  If  you  don't  believe  me,  you 
may  ask  Ben." 

"  How  was  it,  Ben?"  he  asked. 

"Just  as  Sam  has  said.  We  found  the  horse  alone 
in  the  woods.  We  thought  he  might  be  stolen,  and 
we  brought  him  home.  It  was  a  good  deal  of  trou- 
ble, for  it's  full  two  miles. " 

James  looked  from  one  to  the  other  in  perplexity. 

' '  I  don't  understand  it  at  all, "  he  said.  "  It  don't 
look  like  Tony  to  neglect  his  duty  that  way." 

' '  You've  got  too  high  an  opinion  of  that  boy  en- 
tirely," said  Sam,  sneeringly. 


Tony  sprung  forward  and  seized  the  would-be  murderer  by  tne  arm. 
(See  page  182.)  -.16g 


166 


CHAPTEE  XXVII. 

TONY     IS     DISCHARGED. 

Presently  Tony  came  into  the  yard.  He  was  look- 
ing very  sober.  He  had  lost  the  horse,  and  he  didn't 
know  how  to  excuse  himself.  He  didn't  feel  that 
he  had  been  to  blame,  but  he  suspected  that  he 
should  be  blamed  nevertheless. 

"What  did  you  do  with  the  horse,  Tony?"  asked 
James. 

"He  was  stolen  from  me,"  answered  Tony. 

" How  could  that  be?" 

"  I  expect  it  was  the  Quaker." 

"The  Quaker!"  repeated  James,  in  amazement. 
"Are  you  sure  you're  not  crazy — or  drunk?" 

"Neither  one,"  said  Tony.  "It's  a  long  story 
and " 

"You  must  tell  it  to  Mr.  Porter  then.  He  wants 
to  see  you  right  off.  But  I'll  tell  you  for  your  in- 
formation that  the  horse  is  here." 

' '  Is  here?    Who  brought  it? " 

"  Sam  Payson  brought  it  a  short  time  since." 

"Sam  Payson!     Where  did  he  say  he  found  it?" 

'*In  the  woods." 

"Then  he  might  have  left  it  there,"  said  Tony,  in- 
dignantly. ' '  What  business  had  he  to  untie  it,  and 
give  me  all  this  trouble? " 


TONY  IS  DISCHARGED.  167 

"  You  can  speak  to  Mr.  Porter  about  that." 

"Where  is  he?" 

"In  the  office." 

Tony  entered  the  office. 

Mr.  Porter  regarded  him  with  a  frown. 

' '  How  is  this,  Tony? "  he  began.  ' '  You  leave  my 
horse  in  the  woods  to  be  brought  home  by  another 
boy.  He  might  have  been  stolen,,  do  you  know 
that?" 

"I've  been  deceived,  and  led  into  a  trap,"  said 
Tony. 

' '  What  on  earth  do  you  mean?  Who  has  deceived 
and  trapped  you?" 

"The  Quaker  who  was  stopping  here.  Has  he 
come  back?" 

"  He  has  settled  his  bill  and  left  the  hotel.  What 
cock-and-bull  story  is  this  you  have  hatched  up?" 

"It  is  a  true  story,  Mr.  Porter.  This  man  was 
not  a  Quaker  at  all.     He  was  a  tramp." 

"Take  care  what  you  say,  Tony.  Do  you  take 
me  for  a  fool? " 

"  He  is  a  man  I  used  to  know.  When  I  was  com- 
ing home  he  was  waiting  for  me  in  the  woods,  only 
I  didn't  know  who  he  really  was.  He  told  me  there 
was  a  man  who  had  fallen  into  a  well  in  the  woods, 
and  he  wanted  my  help  to  get  him  out.  So  I  tied 
the  horse  and  went  with  him.  I  wouldn't  have  left 
him  but  for  the  story  of  the  man  in  the  weU. " 

"  Go  on, "  said  the  landlord.  ' '  I  warn  you  I  don't 
believe  a  word  of  this  wonderful  story  of  yours." 

"I  can't  help  it,"  said  Tony,  desperately.  It's 
true." 


168  TOXY,    THE  HERO. 

"Go  on,  and  I'll  give  you  my  opinion  of  it  after- 
ward." 

"  Just  before  we  got  to  the  well  a  branch  took  off 
his  hat  and  wig,  and  I  saw  that  he  was  no  Quaker, 
but  my  enemy,  Eudolph  Rugg." 

"Rudolph  Rugg!  A  very  good  name  for  a  ro- 
mance. " 

Tony  proceeded: 

"Then  I  tried  to  get  away,  but  it  was  too  late. 
The  man  seized  me  and  threw  me  down  the  well. 
But  first  he  told  me  that  he  knew  who  I  was,  and 
that  I  was  heir  to  a  large  fortune." 

"Indeed!  How  happens  it  that  you  are  not  at 
the  bottom  of  the  well  still? " 

"I  got  out." 

"So  I  see;  but  how?" 

"I  climbed  up  by  the  stones  till  I  reached  the 
rope,  and  then  I  found  it  easy.  I  hurried  to  where 
I  had  left  the  horse,  but  it  was  gone.  I  supposed 
that  the  Quaker  had  taken  it,  but  James  tells  me 
Sam  Pay  son  found  it  and  brought  it  back." 

"'Look  here,  boy,"  said  the  landlord,  sternly,  "do 
you  expect  me  to  believe  this  romance  of  yours? " 

"I  don't  know  whether  you  will  or  not,  sir.  All 
I  can  say  is  that  it  is  the  exact  truth." 

"I  cannot  keep  you  in  my  employ  any  longer.  I 
have  been  deceived  by  you,  and  should  no  longer 
trust  you.  You  certainly  have  mistaken  your  vo- 
cation.    You  are  not  fit  to  be  a  stable  boy. " 

"  I  should  like  to  know  what  I  am  fit  for,"  said 
Tony,  despondently. 


TONY   IS  DISCHARGED.  169 

u  I  will  tell  you,  then.  Judging  from  the  story 
you  have  told  me,,  I  should  think  you  might  succeed 
very  well  in  writing  a  romance.  I  don't  know 
whether  it  pays,  but  you  can  try  it." 

i '  Some  time  you  will  find  out  that  I  have  told  the 
truth,"  said  Tony. 

"Perhaps  so,  but  I  doubt  it." 

"  When  do  you  want  me  to  go?  " 

"You  can  stay  till  to-morrow  morning.  Wait  a 
minute.  Here  is  a  five-dollar  bill.  That  is  a  fair 
price  for  the  time  you  have  been  with  me." 

As  Tony  was  going  out  he  came  near  having  a 
collision  with  Sam  Payson. 

Sam  looked  at  him  inquiringly. 

"Have  you  been  discharged?"  he  asked. 

" Yes/"  said  Tony.  "It  was  your  fault.  What 
made  you  take  that  horse?" 

"  I  was  afraid  Mr.  Porter  might  lose  it.    Is  he  in?" 

"  Yes.  You  can  apply  for  my  place,  if  you  want 
to." 

"  I  mean  to." 

Sam  went  in,  and  addressed  the  landlord. 

"I  brought  your  horse  back,"  he  said. 

' '  Thank  you.  Here's  two  dollars  for  your  trou- 
ble." 

Sam  tucked  it  away  with  an  air  of  satisfaction. 

"  Tony  tells  me  he  is  going  away." 

"  Yes.     He  don't  suit  me." 

"Wouldn't  I  suit  you? "  asked  Sam,  in  an  ingra- 
tiating tone. 

"No;  I've  tried  you,  and  you  won't  suit,"  was  the 
unexpected  reply. 


170  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"But  I  brought  back  the  horse,"  pleaded  Sam, 
crest-fallen. 

"I've  paid  you  for  that/'  said  the  landlord. 
"Didn't  I  pay  you  enough? " 

"Yes,  sir;  but  I  thought  you'd  take  me  back 
again." 

1 '  I  know  you  too  well,  Sam  Payson,  to  try  any 
such  experiment.  The  Widow  Clark  told  me  yester- 
day that  she  wanted  to  get  her  boy  into  a  place,  and 
I  am  going  to  offer  it  to  him. 

"He  don't  know  anything  about  horses,"  said 
Sam. 

"  He  will  soon  learn.  He  is  a  good  boy,  and  in- 
dustrious. I  am  sure  he  will  suit  me  better  than 
you." 

1  '  I  wish  I  hadn't  brought  back  his  old  horse, ' 
muttered  Sam,  as  he  left  the  office  and  went  back 
into  the  yard.  He  hoped  to  triumph  over  Tony  by 
telling  him  that  he  had  taken  his  place,  but  the  op- 
portunity was  not  allowed  him. 

"Well,  Sam,  are  you  going  to  take  my  place?" 
asked  Tony. 

"  Xo,  I'm  not,"  said  Sam. 

"  Didn't  you  ask  for  it? " 

"The  old  man  had  promised  it  to  another  boy," 
said  Sam,  sourly. 

"  He's  been  pretty  quick  about  it,  then,"  said 
James. 

"A  boy  that  don't  know  the  first  thing  about 
horses,"  grumbled  Sam. 

"Who  is  it?" 


TONY  IS  DISCHARGED.  171 

"  Joe  Clark." 

"  He's  a  good  boy;  I'm  glad  he  s  coming,  though 
I'm  sorry  to  lose  Tony. " 

"Thank  you,  James,"  said  Tony.  "I'd  like  to 
stay,  but  I  can't  blame  Mr.  Porter  for  not  believing 
my  story.  It  was  a  strange  one,  but  it's  true  for  all 
that." 

James  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"Then  you  believe  you're  heir  to  a  fortune,  as  he 
told  you?" 

"  Yes;  he  had  no  reason  to  tell  me  a  lie." 

"  What's  that? "  asked  Sam. 

"  The  Quaker  gentleman  who  was  here  told  Tony 
that  he  was  heir  to  a  large  fortune." 

"Ho,  ho!"  laughed  Sam,  boisterously.  "That's 
a  likely  story,  that  is." 

"Why  isn't  it?"  asked  Tony,  frowning. 

"You  heir  to  a  fortune — a  clodhopper  like  you! 
Oh!  I  shall  split!  "  said  Sam,  giving  way  to  another 
burst  of  merriment. 

"I  am  no  more  a  clodhopper  than  you  are,"  said 
Tony,  ' '  and  I  advise  you  not  to  laugh  too  much,  or 
I  may  make  you  laugh  on  the  other  side  of  your 
mouth." 

"  It'll  take  more  than  you  to  do  it,"  said  Sam,  de- 
fiantly, 

"I  have  done  it  already,  Sam  Payson,  and  I'm 
ready  to  try  it  again  before  I  leave  town." 

"I  wouldn't  dirty  my  hands  with  you,"  said  Sam, 
scornfully. 

"You'd  better  not." 


172  TONY,   THE  HERO. 

When  Sam  had  gone,  Tony  turned  to  James. 

"I  wonder  whether  I  shall  ever  see  you  again, 
James?"  he  said,  thoughtfully. 

'fI  hope  so,  Tony.  I'm  sorry  you're  going;  but 
you  couldn't  expect  Mr.  Porter  to  believe  such  a 
story  as  that." 

"Then  you  don't  believe  it,  James?  I'll  come 
back  some  day  just  to  prove  to  you  that  it  is  true." 

"Come  back  at  any  rate;  I  shall  be  glad  to  see 
you.     When  do  you  go? " 

"  To-morrow  morning." 

"  Where  shall  you  go  first? " 

"  To  New  York;  but  I'll  help  you  tiU  I  go." 

So  Tony  did  his  work  as  usual  for  the  remainder 
of  the  day.  He  felt  rather  sober.  Just  as  he  had 
found  a  home  his  evil  genius,  in  the  character  of 
Rudolph,  appeared  and  deprived  him  of  it. 


THE  WORLD  BEFORE  HIM.  173 

CHAPTEE    XXVIII. 

THE    WORLD    BEFORE     HIM. 

Though  Tony  was  out  of  a  place  he  was  consider- 
ably better  off  than  he  had  generally  been.  He 
had  five  dollars  in  his  pocket  for  the  first  time  in 
his  life.  A  few  weeks  ago  he  would  have  consid- 
ered himself  rich  with  this  amount,  and  would  have 
been  in  high  spirits.  But  now  he  took  a  different 
view  of  life.  He  had  known  what  it  was  to  have  a 
settled  home,  and  to  earn  an  honest  living,  and  he 
had  learned  to  like  it.  But  fortune  was  against 
him,  and  he  must  go. 

1  £  Good-by,  James, "  he  said,  soberly,  to  the  hostler 
the  next  morning. 

"  Good-by,  Tony,  and  good  luck, "  said  the  kind- 
hearted  hostler. 

' f  I  hope  I  shall  have  good  luck,  but  I  don't  expect 
it,"  said  Tony. 

"  Pooh,  nonsense  !  You're  young,  and  the  world 
is  before  you." 

"  That's  so,  James,  but  so  far  the  world  has  been 
against  me." 

"  Come  here  a  minute,  Tony,"  said  James,  lower- 
ing his  voice. 

As  Tony  approached,  he  thrust  a  bank-note  has- 
tily into  his  hand. 

"  Take  it,"  he  said,  quickly.  "  I  don't  need  it,  and 
you  may." 


174:  TONY,   THE  HERO. 

Tony  looked  at  the  bill,  and  found  it  was  a  tern 
dollar  note. 

"  You're  very  kind,  James,"  he  said,  touched  by  a 
kindness  to  which  he  was  unaccustomed,  "  but  I 
can't  take  it. " 

' '  Why  not  ?    I  shan't  need  it. " 

"Nor  I,  James.  I've  got  some  money.  It  isn't 
much,  but  I'm  used  to  roughing  it.  I've  done  it  all 
my  life.  I  always  come  down  on  my  feet  like  a 
cat." 

"  But  you  may  get  hard  up." 

"If  I  do,  I'll  let  you  know." 

"  Will  you  promise  that  ? " 

"Honor  bright." 

So  James  took  back  the  money  reluctantly,  and 
Tony  bade  him  goocl-by. 

It  was  a  rainy  day  when  Tony  arrived  in  New 
York.  The  stores  were  deserted,  and  the  clerks 
lounged  idly  behind  the  counter.  Only  those  who 
were  actually  obliged  to  be  out  appeared  in  the 
streets.  If  Tony's  hopes  had  been  high  they  would 
have  been  lowered  by  the  dreary  weather.  He 
wandered  aimlessly  about  the  streets,  having  no 
care  about  his  luggage  for  he  had  brought  none, 
looking  about  him  listlessly.  He  found  himself 
after  a  while  in  the  lower  part  of  Broadway,  not  far 
from  the  Battery.  It  is  here,  as  my  city  readers 
know,  the  most  of  the  European  steamer  lines 
have  their  offices. 

At  once  Tony  saw  a  figure  that  attracted  his  eager 
attention. 


> 
- 


THE   WORLD   BEFORE   HIM.  175 

It  was  Eudolph  Rugg,  his  old  comrade,  and  now 
bitter  enemy. 

"Where  is  he  going ? "  thought  Tony. 

This  question  was  soon  solved. 

Rudolph  entered  the  office  of  the  Anchor  Line  of 
steamers. 

"  What  can  he  want  there  ? "  thought  Tony.  "  111 
watch  him." 

He  took  a  position  near  by,  yet  far  enough  off  to 
avoid  discovery,  and  waited  patiently  for  Rudolph 
to  reappear.  He  waited  about  fifteen  minutes. 
Then  he  saw  the  tramp  come  out  with  a  paper  in 
his  hand,  which  he  appeared  to  regard  with  satis- 
faction.    He  turned  and  went  up  Broadway. 

As  soon  as  he  thought  it  safe  Tony  crossed  the 
street  and  entered  the  office.  He  made  his  way  up 
to  the  counter  and  inquired  the  price  of  passage. 
The  rates  were  given  him. 

"Can  you  tell  me/'  he  asked,  carelessly,  "if  a  Mr. 
Rugg  is  going  across  on  one  of  your  steamers  ?  " 

"Mr.  Rugg?  Why,  it  is  the  man  who  just  left 
the  office.'' 

' '  Did  he  buy  a  passage  ticket  ? " 

"Yes." 

"  When  does  he  sail  ? " 

"On  Saturday." 

"And  where  does  he  go  ? " 

"To  Liverpool,  of  course.  Can  I  sell  you  a 
ticket  ? " 

' '  I  haven't  decided, "  said  Tony. 

"If  you  go,  you  will  find  it  to  your  advantage  to 
go  by  our  line." 


176  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

' '  I'll  go  by  your  line,  if  I  go  at  all, "  said  Tony. 
"I  wonder  whether  he'd  be  so  polite  if  he  knew  I 
had  but  three  dollars  and  a  quarter  in  my  pocket  ? " 
said  our  hero  to  himself. 

Then  he  began  to  wonder  how  it  happened  that 
Eudolph  was  going.  First,  it  was  a  mystery  where 
he  could  have  obtained  the  money  necessary  for  the 
purchase  of  a  ticket.  Next,  what  could  be  his  rea- 
son for  leaving  America. 

' '  Probably  he  has  picked  somebody's  pocket, " 
thought  Tony. 

That  disposed  of  the  difficulty,  but,  as  we  know, 
Tony  was  mistaken.  It  was  money  that  he  had  re- 
ceived for  a  worse  deed,  but  Tony  never  thought  of 
connecting  the  state  of  Rudolph's  purse  with  the 
attempt  that  had  been  made  upon  his  own  life. 

When  Tony  came  to  think  of  it  he  felt  glad  that 
Rudolph  was  going  abroad.  He  felt  that  his  own 
life  would  be  safer  with  an  ocean  flowing  .  between 
him  and  the  man  who  latterly  had  exhibited  such 
an  intense  hatred  for  him.  As  to  his  motive,  why 
perhaps  he  thought  that  he  would  be  safer  in  Lon- 
don than  in  New  York. 

Tony  bethought  himself  of  securing  a  temporary 
home.  He  was  not  a  stranger  in  New  York,  and 
knew  exactly  where  to  go.  There  was  a  house  not 
far  from  Greenwich  street,  where  he  had  lodged 
more  than  once  before,  and  where  he  was  known. 
It  was  far  from  a  fashionable  place,  but  the  charge 
was  small,  and  that  was  a  necessary  consideration 
with  Tony. 


THE  WORLD   BEFORE   HIM.  177 

He  rang  the  bell,  and  the  proprietor,  a  hard- 
favored  woman  of  fifty,  came  to  open  it. 

"How  do  you  do,  Mrs.  Blodgett  ?"  said  Tony. 

"  Why,  it's  Tony,"  said  the  woman,  not  unkindly, 
"Where  have  you  been  this  long  time  ?" 

"  In  the  country,"  answered  our  hero. 

"  And  where  is  your  father  ? " 

"  Do  you  mean  the  man  I  used  to  be  with  ? " 

"  Yes.     He  was  your  father,  wasn't  he  ? " 

"No.  He  was  no  relation  of  mine,"  said  Tony, 
hastily.     "  We  used  to  go  together,  that  is  all." 

"Where  is  he?" 

"  I  don't  know  exactly.  We  had  a  falling  out,  and 
we've  parted." 

"Well,  Tony,  what  can  I  do  for  you  ?  " 

' '  Have  you  got  any  cheap  room  to  let,  Mrs.  Blod- 
gett?" 

"  I've  got  a  room  in  the  attic.  It's  small,  but 
if  it'll  suit  you,  you  can  have  it  for  a  dollar  a 
week." 

"It's  just  the  thing,"  said  Tony,  in  a  tone  of  satis- 
faction.    "  Can  I  go  right  up  ?  " 

"Yes,  if  you  want  to.  I  generally  want  a 
week's  pay  in  advance,  but  you've  been  here  be- 
fore   " 

"No  matter  for  that.  Here's  the  money,"  said 
Tony. 

"I'll  show  you  the  way  up." 

"All  right.  I  guess  I'll  lie  down  awhile.  I've 
been  about  the  streets  all  day,  and  am  pretty 
tired." 


178  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

The  room  was  quite  small,  and  the  furniture  was 
shabby  and  well-worn  ;  but  Tony  was  not  particu- 
lar. He  threw  himself  on  the  bed,  and  soon  fell 
asleep. 

How  long  he  slept  he  did  not  know,  but  when  he 
woke  up  the  room  was  quite  dark.  He  stretched, 
and  did  not  immediately  remember  where  he  was  ; 
but  it  flashed  upon  him  directly. 

"I  wonder  what  time  it  is  ?  "  he  asked  himself . 
"I  must  have  slept  a  long  time.  I  feel  as  fresh  as 
a  lark.     I'll  get  up  a  take  and  tramp. " 

"When  he  went  down  stairs  he  found  that  it  was 
already  ten  o'clock. 

"  I  feel  as  fresli  as  if  it  were  morning,''  thought- 
Tony.  ' '  I'll  go  out  on  Broadway  and  watch  some 
of  the  theatres  when  the  people  come  out." 

Ten  o'clock  seems  late  in  the  country  ;  it  is  the 
usual  hour  for  retiring  for  many  families  ;  but  in 
the  city  it  is  quite  different.  There  are  still  many 
to  be  seen  in  the  streets,  and  for  many  it  is  the  com- 
mencement of  a  season  of  festivity. 

Tony  walked  for  half  an  hour.  He  was  so  thor- 
oughly rested  that  he  felt  no  fatigue.  Presently  he 
stepped  into  a  crowded  billiard-room,  and  seating 
himself,  began  to  watch  a  game  between  a  young 
man  of  twenty-five  and  a  man  probably  fifteen 
years  his  senior.  The  first  was  evidently  a  gentle- 
man by  birth  and  education  ;  his  dress  and  manners 
evinced  this.  The  other  looked  like  an  adventurer, 
though  he  was  well-dressed. 

' '  Come,  let  us  play  for  drinks, "  said  the  elder. 


THE  WORLD  BEFORE  HIM.  179 

( '  I've  drank  enough,"  said  the  young  man. 

"  Nonsense.     You  can  stand  a  little  more." 

"Just  as  you  say." 

The  game  terminated  in  favor  of  the  elder,  and 
the  drinks  were  brought. 

This  went  on  for  some  time.  The  young  man  was 
evidently  affected.  Finally  he  threw  down  his  cue, 
and  said ; 

"  I  won't  play  again." 

"  Why  not?" 

" My  hand  is  unsteady.  I  have  drank  too  much." 

"I've  drank  as  much  as  you,  but  I  am  all  right." 

"  You  can  stand  more  than  I.  Ill  settle  for  the 
drinks  and  games  and  go  home." 

"Shan't  I  see  you  home  ? "  asked  the  elder. 

"I  don't  want  to  trouble  you." 

"No  trouble  at  all." 

The  young  man  paid  at  the  bar,  displaying  a 
well-filled  pocketbook.  There  was  something  in 
his  companion's  expression  which  made  Tony  sus- 
picious.    He  formed  a  sudden  resolve. 

"  I'll  follow  them, "  he  said,  and  when  they  left 
the  room  he  was  close  behind  them. 


ISO  TONY.    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

A    STRANGE    ADVENTURE. 

The  young  man  leaned  on  the  arm  of  his  com- 
panion. He  was  affected  by  the  potations  in  which 
he  had  indulged,  and  was  sensible  of  his  condition. 

"I  ought  not  to  have  drank  so  much,"  he  said, 
in  unsteady  accents. 

"Pooh!  it's  nothing,"  said  the  other,  lightly. 
"Where  are  you  stopping? " 

"St.  Nicholas." 

"  We'd  better  walk;  it  will  do  you  good  to  walk.' 

"Just  as  you  say." 

"Of  course,  I  would  only  advise  you  for  your 
good." 

"I  know  it;  but  old  fellow,  why  did  you  make 
me  drink  so  much?" 

"I  thought  you  could  stand  it  better.  I'm  as  cool 
as  a  cucumber." 

He  pressed  the  young  man's  arm,  and  led  him 
into  a  side  street. 

"What's  that  for?  This  ain't  the  way  to  St. 
Nicholas." 

"I  know  it." 

"Why  don't  you  go  up  Broadway?" 

"You  are  not  fit  to  go  in  yet,  You  need  a  longer 
walk,  so  that  your  condition  will  not  be  noticed 
when  you  go  in. " 


A  STRANGE  ADVENTURE.  181 

"  Go  along  old  fellow;  you're  right." 

Still  Tony  kept  behind.  All  seemed  right;  enough, 
but  somehow  he  could  not  help  feeling  suspicious  of 
the  older  man. 

"I'll  watch  him,"  he  thought,  "and  if  he  at- 
tempts any  mischief  I'll  interfere. " 

The  two  men  walked  in  a  westerly  direction, 
crossing  several  streets. 

"Look  here,"  said  the  young  man,  "  we'd  better 
turn  back. " 

Now  was  the  time. 

The  other  looked  swiftly  around,  but  did  not  no- 
tice Tony,  who  was  tracking  him  in  the  darkness. 

"  Give  me  your  watch  and  money  at  once,  or  I'll 
blow  your  brains  out." 

"  Look  here,  you're  only  trying  to  play  a  joke  on 
me." 

"You're  mistaken.  I'm  a  desperate  man.  I  will 
do  as  I  say." 

"Then  you're  a  villian,"  said  the  young  man, 
with  spirit.  "You've  made  me  drunk  in  order  to 
rob  me." 

"Precisely.  Your  money  or  your  life.  That's 
about  what  I  mean." 

"  I'll  call  the  police." 

"  If  you  do  it  will  be  your  last  word.  Now  make 
up  your  mind." 

The  young  man,  instead  of  complying,  endeav- 
ored to  break  away,  but  in  his  intoxication  he  had 
lost  half  his  strength,  and  was  no  match  for .  the 
other. 


182  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"  You  fool !  your  blood  be  on  your  own  hands!  " 
said  his  companion,  and  he  drew  a  pistol  from  his 
side  pocket. 

An  instant  and  he  w^ould  have  fired,  but  Tony 
was  on  the  alert.  He  sprang  forward,  seized  the 
would-be  murderer  by  the  arm,  and  the  pistol  went 
off,  but  the  bullet  struck  a  brick  wall  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  street. 

iC  Police!  "  shouted  Tony,  at  the  top  of  his  lungs. 

"  Confusion!"  exclaimed  the  villian.  "I  must 
be  getting  out  of  this." 

He  turned  to  fly,  but  Tony  seized  him  by  the 
coat,  and  he  struggled  fiercely,  but  in  vain. 

"  Let  go,  you  young  scoundrel!  "  he  shouted,  "  or 
I'll  shoot  you. " 

"With  an  unloaded  pistol? "  asked  Tony.  "  That 
don't  scare  much."' 

A  quick  step  was  heard,  and  a  policeman  turned 
the  corner. 

"  What's  the  matter?"  he  asked. 

' '  I  charge  this  man  with  an  attempt  at  murder," 
said  Tony. 

"  The  boy  is  right,"  said  the  young  man. 

"  They  are  both  lying, "  said  the  adventurer,  fu- 
riously.    "  It's  a  plot  against  me." 

"I  know  you,  Bill  Jones,"  said  the  policeman, 
after  a  careful  scrutiny  of  the  man's  features. 
"  You're  a  hard  ticket.  Come  along  with  me.  You 
two  must  go  with  me  to  prefer  your  charge." 

"Let  me  have  your  arm,  my  boy,"  said  the 
young  man;  "I'm   ashamed  to   own  that   I  need 


A  STRANGE  ADVENTURE.  183 

your  help.  It  is  the  last  time  I  will  allow  liquor  to 
get  the  better  of  me." 

'•'I  guess  you're  about  right  there."  said  Touy. 
"  You've  had  a  narrow  escape." 

"I owe  my  life  to  you,"  said  the  young  man, 
warmly.  "  How  did  you  happen  to  come  up  just 
in  the  nick  of  time? " 

"  I  suspected  the  man  meant  you  no  good.  I  fol- 
lowed you  from  the  billiard  saloon,  where  I  saw  you 
playing." 

"You  were  sharper  than  I.  I  never  suspected 
harm.  You  have  done  me  the  greatest  possible 
service. " 

"Curse  the  young  brat!"  muttered  the  man  in 
custody.  "I'd  like  a  good  chance  to  wring  your 
neck." 

"  I've  no  doubt  of  it,"  said  Tony.  "  I'll  keep  out 
of  your  way." 

The  station  house  was  not  far  off.  The  party  en- 
tered. The  charge  was  formally  made,  and  Tony 
and  the  young  man  went  out. 

' '  Won't  your  father  and  mother  feel  anxious 
about  your  being  out  so  late?"  asked  George  Spen- 
cer, for  this  was  the  young  man's  name. 

"I  don't  think  they  will,"  answered  Tony.  "I 
haven't  got  any  for  that  matter." 

"  Who  do  you  live  with  then? " 

"I  take  care  of  myself." 

"  Have  you  no  one  belonging  to  you? " 

"  Not  one." 

"  Are  you  poor? "  asked  Spencer,  for  the  first  time 
taking  notice  of  Tony's  rather  shabby  apparel. 


184  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"  Oh,  no,"  said  our  hero.  "  I've  got  a  little  over 
two  dollars  in  my  pocket." 

"Is  that  all?" 

"  Yes,  and  it's  a  good  deal  more  than  I  generally 
have." 

"You  don't  say  so.  How  do  you  make  your 
living? " 

"Any  way  I  can.     Any  way  that's  honest." 

"  And  don't  you  ever  get  discouraged — down  in 
the  mouth? " 

"Not  often,"  answered  Tony.  "  I've  always  got 
along,  and  I  guess  something  will  turn  up  for  me. 
But  there's  one  thing  I'm  sorry  for." 

"What's  that?" 

"  I  would  like  to  get  some  sort  of  an  education;  I 
don't  know  much." 

"Can  you  read?" 

' i  A  little,  and  write  a  little.  I  mostly  picked  it 
up  myself." 

The  young  man  whistled. 

"  Have  you  any  place  to  sleep  to-night? " 

"  I've  hired  an  attic  room  for  a  week." 

"  What  do  you  pay?  " 

"A  dollar  a  week." 

"Of  course,  it's  a  poor  room? " 

"  Yes;  but  it's  all  I  can  expect,  and  better  than  I 
often  have.  Why,  I've  slept  in  barns  and  under 
haystacks  plenty  of  times." 

"  What  is  your  name? " 

"TonyEugg." 

1 '  Well,  Tony,  you  must  come  and  stop  with  me 
to-night." 


A  STRANGE   ADVENTURE.  185 

"With  you?" 

"Yes;  at  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel.  You  can  help 
me  get  there,  and  share  my  room." 

Tony  hesitated. 

"  Do  you  mean  it?  "  he  asked. 

"  Why  shouldn't  I? " 

"  Because  you're  a  gentleman,  and  I — do  you 
know  what  they  call  me?  " 

"What?" 

"Tony,  the  Tramp." 

' c  It  is  your  misfortune  and  not  your  fault.  I  re- 
peat my  invitation — will  you  come?" 

"I  will,"  answered  Tony. 

He  saw  that  the  young  man  was  in  earnest,  and 
he  no  longer  persisted  in  his  refusal. 

"  To-morrow  morning  I  will  talk  with  you  fur- 
ther about  your  affairs.  I  want  to  do  something 
for  you." 

"  You  are  very  kind." 

"  I  ought  to  be.  Haven't  you  saved  my  life?  But 
there  is  the  hotel." 

Tony  and  his  new  friend  entered  the  great  hotel. 
It  was  brilliantly  lighted,  though  it  was  now  nearly 
midnight. 

Mr.  Spencer  went  up  to  the  desk. 

"  My  key,"  he  said;  "  No.  169." 

"Here  it  is,  sir." 

"  This  young  man  will  share  my  room;  I  will  en- 
ter his  name. " 

The  clerk  looked  at  Tony  in  surprise.  He  looked 
rather  shabby  for  a  guest  of  the  great  caravansery. 

"  Has  he  luggage? "  asked  the  clerk. 


186  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"  None  to  night;  I  will  pay  his  bill." 

(( All  right,  sir." 

They  got  into  the  elevator,  and  presently  came  to 
a  stop.     Mr.  Spencer  opened  the  door  of  169. 

It  was  a  good-sized  and  handsomely  furnished 
chamber,  containing  two  beds. 

u  You  will  sleep  in  that  bed,  Tony,"  said  Spencer. 
"I  feel  dead  tired.  Will  you  help  me  off  with  my 
coat?" 

Scarcely  was  the  young  man  in  bed  than  he  fell 
asleep.  Tony  lay  awake  some  time,  thinking  of  his 
strange  adventure. 

"It's  the  first  time  in  my  life,"  he  said  to  him- 
self, "when  I've  had  two  beds — one  here  and  the 
other  at  my  lodgings.  What  would  Eudolph  say  if 
he  knew  I  was  stopping  at  a  fashionable  hotel,  in- 
stead of  being  at  the  bottom  of  the  well,  where  he 
threw  me?" 


BREAKFAST  AT  THE   ST.    NICHOLAS.  187 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

BREAKFAST  AT   THE   ST.    NICHOLAS. 

When  Tony  woke  up  in  the  morning  he  looked 
about  him  with  momentary  bewilderment,  wonder- 
ing where  he  was. 

George  Spencer  was  already  awake. 

"How  did  you  sleep,  Tony?''  he  asked. 

"First  rate." 

"  It  must  be  late.  Please  look  at  my  watch  and 
tell  me  what  time  it  is." 

"  Half -past  eight,"  said  Tony,  complying  with  his 
request.     "  Why,  it's  late." 

"'Xot  very.  I  didn't  get  up  until  ten  yesterday. 
Well,  what  do  you  say  to  getting  up  and  having 
some  breakfast? " 

"Am  I  to  breakfast  with  }^ou,  Mr.  Spencer?  " 

"  To  be  sure  you  are,  unless  you  have  another  en- 
gagement," added  Spencer,  jocosely. 

"If  I  have  it  can  wait,"  said  Tony.  "How  much 
do  they  charge  here  for  board,  Mr.  Spencer? " 

"Four  or  five  dollars  a  day.  I  really  don't  know 
exactly  how  much." 

"Four  or  five  dollars  a  day!"  exclaimed  Tony, 
opening  his  eyes  in  amazement.  "How  much  I 
shall  cost  you! " 

"  I  expect  you  will  cost   me  a  good   deal,  Tony," 


188  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

said  the  young  man.  "Do  you  know,  I  have  a  great 
mind  to  adopt  you!  " 

"  Do  you  really  mean  it,  Mr.  Spencer? " 

"  Yes;  why  shouldn't  I.  I  like  what  I  have  seen 
of  you,  and  I  have  plenty  of  money." 

"  It  must  be  a  nice  thing  to  have  plenty  of  mon- 
ey/' said  Tony,  thoughtfully. 

"  There  is  danger  in  it,  too,  Tony.  I  am  ashamed 
to  tell  you  how  much  I  have  spent  in  gambling  and 
"dissipation." 

"I  wouldn't  do  it,  Mr.  Spencer,"  said  Toney,  so- 
berly. 

"  Capital  advice,  Tony.  lam  going  to  keep  you 
with  me  for  fear  I  might  forget,  that  is,  if  you  think 
you  will  like  me  well  enough  to  stay." 

' '  I  am  sure  to  like  you,  Mr.  Spencer,  but  you  may 
get  tired  of  me." 

"I'll  let  you  know  when  I  do,  Tony.  How  much 
income  do  you  think  I  have?" 

"A  thousand  dollars!"  guessed  Tony,  who  consid- 
ered that  this  would  be  a  very  large  income. 

Spencer  laughed. 

"It  is  over  ten  thousand,"  he  said. 

"Ten  thousand!  "  exclaimed  Tony.  "How  can 
you  spend  it  all?  " 

"I  did  spend  it  all,  last  year,  Tony,  and  got  a 
thousand  dollars  in  debt.  I  gambled,  and  most  of 
it  went  that  way.  But  I'll  leave  that  off.  I  shall 
have  you  to  take  up  my  time,  now." 

"Did  you  know  that  man  you  played  billiards 
with  last  night,  Mr.  Spencer? " 


BREAKFAST  AT   THE   ST.    NICHOLAS.  189 

"  I  made  his  acquaintance  in  a  gambling  house, 
and  I  was  well  punished  for  keeping  company  with 
such  a  man. " 

Tony  was  now  nearly  dressed. 

"You  didn't  get  your  clothing  from  a  fashionable 
tailor,  I  should  judge, "  said  his  new  guardian. 

"  No/'  said  Tony,  "  I  haven't  been  to  fashionable 
tailors  much." 

"After  breakfast  I  must  go  with  you  and  see  you 
properly  clothed.  If  you  are  to  be  my  ward,  I  must 
have  your  appearance  do  me  credit." 

"How  very  kind  you  are  to  me,  Mr.  Spencer," 
said  Tony,  gratefully.  "  I  don't  know  how  to  repay 
you." 

"You've  done  something  in  that  way  already." 

"It  seems  like  a  dream  that  a  poor  boy  like  me 
should  be  adopted  by  a  rich  gentleman." 

"It  is  a  dream  you  won't  wake  up  from  very  soon. 
Now  if  you  are  ready  we  will  go  down  to  breakfast." 

Tony  hung  back. 

"Won't  you  be  ashamed  to  have  me  seen  with 
you  in  these  clothes?  "  he  asked. 

"Not  a  bit.  Besides  you  will  soon  be  in  better 
trim.     Come  along,  Tony. " 

They  went  down  together,  and  entered  the  break- 
fast room.  A  considerable  number  of  persons  were 
there.  Several  stared  in  surprise  at  Tony  as  he  en- 
tered and  took  his  seat.  Our  hero  noticed  it,  and  it 
made  him  nervous. 

"  Do  you  see  how  they  look  at  me? "  he  said. 

"Don't  let  it  affect  your  appetite,  Tony,"  said  his 


190  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

friend.  "When  you  appear  among  them  again  you 
will  have  no  reason  to  feel  ashamed." 

A  speech  which  Tony  heard  from  a  neighboring 
table  did  not  serve  to  reassure  him. 

An  over-dressed  lady  of  fifty  said  to  a  tall,  angular 
young  lady,  her  daughter: 

"Elvira,  do  you  see  that  very  common-looking 
boy  at  the  next  table? " 

"Yes,  ma." 

"  He  looks  low.  He  is  not  as  well  dressed  as  our 
servants.  It  is  very  strange  they  should  let  him 
eat  at  an  aristocratic  hotel  like  this." 

"Isn't  he  with  that  gentleman,  ma?  " 

"It  looks  like  it.  He  maybe  the  gentleman's 
servant.  I  really  think  it  an  imposition  to  bring 
him  here." 

Mr.  Spencer  smiled. 

"Don't  mind  it,  Tony,"  he  said.  "I  know  those 
people  by  sight.  They  are  parvenus.  I  suppose 
you  don't  understand  the  word.  They  are  vulgar 
people  who  have  become  rich  by  a  lucky  speculation. 
They  will  change  their  tune  presently.  What  will 
you  have  for  breakfast? " 

"  There's  such  a  lot  of  things,"  said  Tony,  "I  don't 
know  what  to  choose. " 

"You'll  get  used  to  that.  I'll  order  breakfast  for 
both." 

The  waiter  appeared,  and  Mr.  Spencer  gave  the 
order. 

The  waiter  looked  uncomfortable. 

"Mr.  Spencer,"  he  said,  "it's  against  the  rules  for 
you  to  bring  your  servant  to  the  table  with  you." 


BREAKFAST  AT   THE   ST.    NICHOLAS.  191 

"  I  have  not  done  so,"  said  Mr.  Spencer,  promptly. 
"  This  young  gentleman  is  my  ward." 

"Oh,  excuse  me,"  said  the  waiter,  confused. 

"  Has  any  one  prompted  you  to  speak  to  me  about 
him?" 

"'Those  ladies  at  the  next  table." 

"  Then  those  ladies  owe  an  apology  to  my  ward," 
said  the  young  man,  loud  enough  for  the  ladies  to 
hear. 

The  shot  told.  The  ladies  looked  confused  and 
embarrassed,  and  Tony  and  his  guardian  quietly 
finished  their  breakfast. 

There  was  another  lady  who  noticed  Tony,  and 
this  was  Mrs.  Harvey  Middleton.  She  was  to  sail 
for  England  in  the  afternoon. 

As  Tony  and  Mr.  Spencer  were  going  out  of  the 
breakfast-room,  they  met  her  entering. 

She  started  at  the  sight  of  Tony,  and  scanned  his 
face  eagerly. 

"Who  are  you,  boy?"  she  asked,  quickly,  laying 
her  hand  on  his  arm. 

Tony  was  too  surprised  to  answer,  and  Mr.  Spen- 
cer answered  for  him. 

"It  is  my  ward,  madame, "  he  answered.  "He 
has  been  roughing  it  in  the  country,  which  accounts 
for  the  state  of  his  wardrobe." 

"  0,  I  beg  pardon,  sir,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton.  "I 
thought  his  face  looked  familiar. " 

"You  see,  Tony,  that  your  appearance  attracts 
attention,"  said  Mr.  Spencer,  laughing.  "Xow  we'll 
go  out,  and  I'll  get  you  a  fit-out." 


192  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

They  went  to  a  well-known  clothier's,  and  Mr. 
Spencer  purchased  two  handsome  suits  for  our  hero, 
one  of  which  he  put  on  at  once.  At  another  place  a 
plentiful  supply  of  under-clothing  was  purchased. 
Next  a  hat  and  shoes  were  procured.  Tony's  hair 
was  cut,  he  took  a  bath,  and  in  a  couple  of  hours  he 
was  transformed  into  a  young  gentleman  of  distin- 
guished appearance. 

"Beally,  Tony,  I  shouldn't  have  known  you," 
said  his  friend. 

"I  shouldn't  have  known  myself,"  said  Tony.  " I 
almost  think  it  must  be  some  other  boy.  Who'd 
think  I  was  Tony,  the  Tramp,  now? " 

"You  are  not  to  be  a  tramp  any  longer,  I  have 
not  yet  formed  my  plans  for  you,  but  I  shall  soon. 
I  suppose,  Tony,  your  education  has  been  neglected. " 

"I  should  think  it  had,"  answered  Tony.  "I'm 
as  ignorant  as  a  horse." 

"  Then  you  ought  to  learn  something." 

"I  wish  I  could." 

li  You  shall,  but,  as  I  said,  I  must  arrange  details 
later." 

#  #  #  #  #  #  # 

About  this  time  Eudolph  and  Mrs.  Middleton 
were  conversing,  preparatory  to  starting  for  the 
steamer. 

"  You  are  sure  the  boy  is  dead?  "  she  said. 

"  Sure?  I  ought  to  be.  Didn't  I  see  him  dead  with 
my  own  eyes? " 

' '  I  saw  a  boy  this  morning  who  looked  as  I  sup- 
pose the  boy  would  have  looked — of  the  same  age, 
too." 


RREAKFAST  AT  THE  ST.    NICHOLAS.  193 

"  Where  did  you  see  him?  " 

"He  was  with  a  gentleman,  coming  out  of  the 
breakfast-room  as  I  was  entering  it." 

"It  couldn't  have  been  he,"  said  Eudolph,  posi- 
tively. "Even  if  he  were  alive,  he  wouldn't  be  here. 
But  he's  dead,  I  tell  you.     There's  no  doubt  of  it." 

"There  are  strange  resemblances,"  said  the  lady. 
"  But,  of  course,  it  couldn't  have  been  the  boy.  In- 
deed, the  gentleman  with  him  told  me  that  it  was 
his  ward." 

Eudolph  laughed. 

"Tony  wasn't  likely  to  have  a  gentleman  for  a 
guardian,"  he  said. 

But  Eudolph  would  have  felt  less  easy  in  his  mind 
if  he  had  known  that  the  boy  whom  he  supposed 
dead  at  the  bottom  of  a  well  was  really  in  the  hotel 
at  that  very  moment. 


194  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

TONY   AND   HIS  GUARDIAN  SET  UP   HOUSEKEEPING. 

"Xow,  Tony/'  said  George  Spencer,  after  dinner, 
"  I  want  to  tell  you  what  plans  I  have  formed  foi 
you  and  myself.  I  have  got  tired  of  hotel  life,  and 
want  a  home.  I  shall  seek  a  couple  of  handsomely- 
furnished  rooms  up  town,  make  it  social  and  pleas- 
ant with  books  and  pictures,  and  we  will  settle 
down  and  enjoy  ourselves." 

"I  am  afraid  you  will  get  tired  of  me,  Mr.  Spen- 
cer, "  said  Tony,  modestly.  ' i  I  am  too  ignorant  to 
be  much  company  for  you. " 

" Ignorance,  like  poverty,  can  be  remedied,"  said 
the  young  man.  ' '  I  shall  obtain  a  private  tutor 
for  you,  and  expect  you  to  spend  some  hours  daily 
in  learning."     Tony's  face  brightened  up. 

"That  is  just  what  I  would  like,"  he  said. 

"  You  would  like  it  better  than  going  to  school?  " 

1  i  Yes,  for  at  school  I  should  be  obliged  to  go  into 
a  class  with  much  younger  boys." 

"  While  with  a  tutor  you  can  go  on  as  fast  as  you 
please." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  To-night  we  both  need  a  little  recreation.  Sup- 
pose we  go  to  some  place  of  amusement.  Have 
you  ever  been  to  Barnum's?" 


It 


TONY  SETS   UP   HOUSEKEEPING.  195 

Yes,  sir,  but  I  didn't  take  a  reserved  seat.'' 
I  suppose  not." 

"  I  sat  in  the  upper  gallery." 

"  To-night  you  shall  be  fashionable.  Have  you  a 
pair  of  kid  gloves?" 

"The  last  pair  I  had  is  worn  out/"  said  Tony, 
laughing. 

' '  Then  you  must  have  another  pair.  We  will  get 
a  pair  on  our  way  there." 

It  was  already  time  to  start. 

At  eight  o'clock  Tony  found  himself  occupying 
an  orchestra  chair  near  the  stage,  his  hands  encased 
in  a  pair  of  gloves  of  faultless  fit,  and  looking 
enough  like  a  young  patrician  to  pass  muster  among 
his  fashionable  neighbors. 

"  How  does  it  seem,  Tony?  "  asked  Spencer,  smil- 
ing. 

"Tip-top,"  answered  Tony:  "but  how  queer  kid 
gloves  feel.  I  never  had  a  pair  on  in  my  life 
before." 

"  There  are  the  two  ladies  who  found  fault 
with  your  appearance  at  the  breakfast  table  this 
morning. " 

"They  are  loooking  at  me  through  an  opera- 
glass." 

"  Wondering  if  you  can  be  the  same  boy.  I  have 
no  doubt  they  are  puzzled  to  account  for  your  trans- 
formation. 

Mr.  -Spencer  was  right.  The  two  ladies  were  at 
the  same  moment  exchanging  remarks  about  our 
hero. 


190  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"  Goodness,  Elvira!  there  is  that  boy  that  was 
at  breakfast  this  morning  at  the  hotel," 

"  The  boy  that  was  so  shabbily  dressed,  mamma? 
Where?" 

' '  Just  to  the  left.  He  isn't  shabby  now.  See  how 
he  is  decked  out.     Who  would  have  thought  it? " 

"  It's  queer,  isn't  it? " 

"  I  think  we  must  have  been  mistaken  about 
him.  He  looks  like  a  young  gentleman  now.  But 
why  should  he  have  worn  such  clothes  before?  " 

"  I  can't  tell,  I  am  sure." 

"  That's  a  nice-looking  young  man,  Elvira.  I 
wish  he  would  take  a  fancy  to  you." 

"La!  mamma,  how  you  talk,"  said  Elvira,  brid- 
ling and  smiling. 

"Depend  upon  it,  Tony,  those  ladies  will  be  po- 
lite to  you  if  they  get  a  chance,"  said  Spencer, 
laughing. 

"It  makes  a  great  deal  of  difference  how  a  boy 
is  dressed, "  said  Tony. 

"  You  are  right,  Tony.  Remember  you  are  fash- 
ionable now." 

"  There's  a  gentleman  in  front  that  I  know,"  said 
Tony,  suddenly. 

"Where."  ' 

"The  man  with  a  partly  bald  head." 

"How  do  you  know  him? " 

"  He  was  staying  two  or  three  days  at  the  coun 
try  hotel  where  I  was  stable  boy." 

"  Do  you  think  he  would  know  you  now?" 

"May  I  see?" 


TONY   SETS   UP  HOUSEKEEPING.  197 

"  Yes,  but  don't  let  him  find  you  out.  It  won't 
do  in  society  to  let  it  be  known  that  you  were  ever 
a  stable-boy." 

"  All  right." 

Tony  leaned  over,  and  addressing  the  gentleman, 
said: 

"Would  you  be  kind  enough  to  lend  me  your 
programme  a  minute,  sir?" 

"Certainly,"  was  the  reply.  Then,  looking  at 
Tony:  "Your  face  looks  very  familiar.  Where 
have  I  seen  you  before?" 

"  Perhap  at  the  St.  Nicholas,  sir,  said  Tony;  "I 
am  stopping  there." 

"  No;  I  never  go  to  the  St.  Nicholas.  Bless  me! 
You're  the  very  image  of  a  boy  I  have  seen  some- 
where." 

"Am  I?"  said  Tony.  "I  hope  he  was  good- 
looking?" 

"He  was;  but  he  was  not  dressed  like  you.  In 
fact — I  remember  now — he  was  employed  as  stable- 
boy  in  a  country  hotel. " 

"A  stable  boy !"  exclaimed  Tony,  with  comic 
horror.     "  I  hope  you  don't  think  I  am  the  boy." 

"Of  course  not.  But  really  the  resemblance  is 
striking." 

"Mr.  Spencer,"  said  Tony,  " this  gentleman  has 
met  a  stable  boy  who  looks  like  me." 

"I  really  beg  your  pardon,"  said  the  gentleman; 
"I  meant  no  offense." 

"My  ward  would  not  think  of  taking  offense," 
said  Mr.  Spencer,  courteously. 


198  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

Tony  smiled  to  himself;  he  had  a  strong  sense  of 
humor,  and  was  much  amused. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  he  enjoyed  the  perform- 
ance— all  the  more  so  from  his  luxurious  seat  and 
nearness  to  the  stage. 

"Its  a  good  deal  better  than  sitting  in  the  gal- 
lery," he  said,  in  a  whisper  to  his  companion. 

"I  should  think  so.  I  never  sat  up  there, 
Tony." 

"And  I  never  sat  anywhere  else." 

As  they  were  leaving  the  house,  they  found  them- 
selves close  to  the  ladies  whom  they  had  noticed  at 
breakfast. 

Elvira  chanced  to  drop  her  handkerchief,  probably 
intentionally. 

Tony  stooped  and  picked  it  up.  Though  he  had 
led  the  life  of  a  tramp,  he  had  the  instincts  of  a 
gentleman. 

"Thank  you,  young  gentleman,"  said  Elvira. 
"You  are  very  polite." 

"  Oh,  don't  mention  it,"  said  Tony. 

"Really,  Mamma,  he  is  a  born  gentleman,"  said 
Elvira,  later,  to  her  mother.  "  How  could  we  make 
such  a  mistake." 

"  His  clothes  were  certainly  very  shabby,  my 
dear."  , 

"Very  likely  he  had  been  out  hunting  or  some- 
thing.    We  must  not  judge  so  hastily  next  time." 

The  ladies  were  foiled  in  their  intentions  of  culti- 
vating the  acquaintance  of  Tony  and  his  guardian, 
as  two  days  later  they  left  the  hotel,  and  installed 


TONY  SETS  UP  HOUSEKEEPING.  199 

themselves  in  an  elegant  boarding-house  on  Madison 
avenue. 

"Now,"  said  Mr.  Spencer,  "we  must  go  to 
work." 

"  I  must,"  said  Tony. 

"And  I  too,"  said  Spencer. 

"  What  can  you  have  to  do? " 

' '  I  have  received  a  proposal  to  invest  a  part  of 
my  money — only  one-fourth — in  a  business  down 
towm,  and  shall  accept.  I  don't  need  to  increase 
my  income,  but  I  think  I  shall  be  less  likely  to  yield 
to  temptation  if  I  have  some  fixed  employment.  I 
shall  be  so  situated  that  I  can  do  as  much  or  as  little 
as  I  please.  As  to  yourself  I  have  put  an  advertise- 
ment in  a  morning  paper  for  a  teacher,  and  expect 
some  applicants  this  morning.  I  want  you  to 
choose  for  yourself." 

' '  I  am  afraid  I  shan't  be  a  very  good  judge  of 
teachers.  Shall  I  examine  them  to  see  if  they  know 
enough?" 

"I  think,  from  what  you  say  of  your  igno- 
rance, that  any  of  them  will  know  enough  to 
teach  you  for  the  present.  The  main  thing  is  to 
select  one  who  knows  how  to  teach,  and  whom 
you  will  like." 

1  i  I  wish  you  were  a  teacher,  Mr.  Spencer. " 

"Why?" 

"Because  then  I  should  have  a  teacher  whom 
Hiked." 

"Thank  you,  Tony,"  said  the  young  man,  evi- 
dently   gratified.       "  The     liking    is     mutual.      I 


200  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

think  myself  fortunate  in  having  you  for  my  com 
panion." 

' '  The  luck  is  on  my  side,  Mr.  Spencer.  What 
would  I  be  but  for  you.  I  wouldn't  be  a  tramp  any 
more,  for  I  am  tired  enough  of  that,  but  I  should 
have  to  earn  my  living  as  a  newsboy  or  a  bootblack, 
and  have  no  chance  of  getting  an  education. " 

So  the  relations  between  Tony  and  his  new  friend 
became  daily  more  close,  until  Mr.  Spencer  came  to 
regard  him  as  a  young  brother,  in  whose  progress 
he  was  warmly  interested. 

A  tutor  was  selected,  and  Tony  began  to  study. 
His  ambition  was  roused.  He  realized  for  the  first 
time  how  ignorant  he  was,  and  it  is  not  too  much  to 
say  that  he  learned  in  one  month  as  much  as  most 
boys  learn  in  three.  He  got  rid  of  the  uncouth 
words  he  had  acquired  in  early  life,  and  adapted  his 
manners  to  the  new  position  which  he  found  him- 
self occupying  in  society.  Mr.  Spencer,  too,  was 
benefited  by  his  new  friend.  He  gave  up  drink  and 
dissipation,  and  contented  himself  with  pleasures  in 
which  he  could  invite  Tony  to  participate. 

Meanwhile  Mr.  Harvey  Middleton  and  Eudolph 
had  arrived  in  England,  and  we  must  leave  our  hero, 
for  a  time  and  join  them. 


HOME  AGAIN.  201 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

HOME  AGAIN". 

When  Mrs.  Harvey  Middleton  reached  England, 
she  delayed  but  a  day  in  London  to  attend  to  neces- 
sary business.  This  business  was  solely  connected 
with  her  mission  to  America.  Eudolph  Eugg  ac- 
companied her  to  the  chambers  of  a  well-known 
lawyer,  and  testified  to  having  had  the  charge  of 
Tony,  closing  with  the  description  of  his  death.  Of 
course  nothing  was  said  of  the  well,  or  about  his 
having  thrown  him  in,  for  Eudolph  was  not  a  fool. 
The  details  of  a  probable  story  had  been  got  up  by 
Mrs.  Middleton  and  Eugg  in  concert.  According  to 
them  and  the  written  testimony,  Tony  had  been  run 
over  by  a  train  on  the  Erie  railway,  and  a  newspa- 
per paragraph  describing  such  an  accident  to  an  un- 
known boy  was  produced  in  corroboration. 

It  was  an  ingenious  fabrication,  and  Mrs.  Middle- 
ton  plumed  herself  upon  it. 

"Poor  boy!  "she  said,  with  a  hypocritical  sigh, 
*' his  was  a  sad  fate.*' 

"  It  was,  indeed,"  said  the  lawyer;  "but,"  he 
added,  dryly,  "  you  have  no  cause  to  regret  it,  since 
it  secures  the  estate." 

' '  Don't  mention  it,  Mr.  Brief.  It  is  sad  to  profit 
by  such  a  tragedy. " 


202  TOXY,    THE   HERO. 

"  You  don't  take  a  business  view  of  it,  madame. 
Such  things  happen,  and  if  we  can't  prevent  them, 
we  may  as  well  profit  by  them." 

"  Of  course  I  will  not  refuse  what  has  fallen  in 
my  way,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton;  "  but  I  had  formed 
the  plan,  if  I  found  the  boy  alive,  of  bringing  him 
home  and  educating  him  for  his  position.  He  would 
not  have  let  me  want."' 

"Don't  she  do  it  well,  though?''  thought  Eu- 
dolph,  who  heard  all  this  with  a  cynical  admiration 
for  the  ex-governess.  "If  I  was  a  gentleman,  I'd 
make  up  to  her,  and  make  her  Mrs.  Eugg  if  she'd 
say  the  word." 

"You  think  this  man's  evidence  will  substan- 
tiate my  claim  to  the  estate?  "  she  asked,  after  a 
pause. 

"  I  should  say  there  was  no  doubt  on  that  point, 
unless,  of  course,  his  evidence  is  impeached  or  con- 
tradicted." 

"  That  is  hardly  likely,  Mr.  Brief.  The  poor 
man  suffered  much  at  the  death  of  the  boy,  to  whom 
he  was  ardently  attached." 

"  So  you  loved  the  boy,  Mr.  Eugg?  "  said  the  law- 
yer. 

"Oh,  uncommon," said  Eudolph.  "He  was  my 
pet,  and  the  apple  of  my  eye.  We  was  always  to 
gether,  Tony  and  I. " 

' '  And  I  suppose  he  loved  you. " 

"  He  couldn't  bear  me  outrof  his  sight;  he  looked 
upon  me  as  a  father,  sir. " 

' '  If  he'd  come  into  the  estate,  he  would  probably 


HOME  AGAIN.  203 

have  provided  for  you,"  suggested  the  lawyer, 
watching  him  keenly. 

"  It's  likely,  sir.     I  wish  he  had.'7 

"So  it's  a  personal  loss  to  you — the  death  of  the 
boy." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Mrs.  Middleton  probably  will  not  forget  your 
services  to  the  bo}r." 

"No,  sir.  I  shall,  of  course,  do  something  for 
Mr.  Rugg,  though  not  as  much,  perhaps,  as  my  poor 
cousin  would  have  done.  Mr.  Rugg,  will  you  see 
me  to  my  carriage? " 

"Certainly,  ma'am." 

Mrs.  Middleton  was  anxious  to  go  away.  The 
conversation  had  taken  a  turn  which  she  did  not 
like.  It  almost  seemed  as  if  the  lawyer  was  trying 
to  find  out  something,  and  she  thought  it  best  to  get 
Rudolph  away  from  the  influence,  lest  Mr.  Brief 
should  catechise  him,  and  draw  out  something'  to 
her  disadvantage. 

"Mr.  Rugg,"  she  said,  as  they  were  going  down 
stairs,  "I  advise  you  not  to  go  near  Mr.  Brief 
again. " 

"  Why  not,  ma'am? " 

"  These  lawyers  are  crafty.  Before  you  knew 
what  he  was  after,  he  would  extract  the  secret  from 
you,  and  there  would  be  trouble  for  both  of  us." 

iQ  Do  you  think  so,  ma'am?  I  didn't  see  nothing 
of  it?" 

"I  think  he  suspects  something.  That  matters 
nothing  if  it  does  not  go  beyond  suspicion.     Unless 


204  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

he  can  impeach  your  testimony  and  draw  you  into 
contradictions,  we  are  safe,  and  you  are  sure  of  an 
income  for  life." 

"  You  needn't  be  afraid  for  me,  ma'am.  We  are 
in  the  same  boat. " 

She  frowned  a  little  at  the  familiar  tone  in  which 
he  spoke.  It  was  as  if  he  put  himself  on  an  equal- 
ity with  her.  But  it  was  true,  nevertheless,  and  it 
was  unpleasant  for  her  to  think  of. 

Was  there  nothing  else  that  was  unpleasant?  Did 
she  not  think  of  the  poor  boy  who,  as  she  thought, 
was  killed,  and  at  her  instigation?  Yes,  she  thought 
often  of  him,  but  as  much  as  she  could  she  kept  the 
subject  away  from  her  thoughts. 

"  He's  better  off,"  she  said  to  herself.  "  He  didn't 
know  anything  of  the  property,  and  he  wasn't  fit  to 
possess  it.  All  the  troubles  of  life  are  over  for 
him." 

i '  What  are  your  plans,  Mr.  Rugg?  "  she  asked. 

"  I  have  a  mind  to  go  down  to  Middleton  Hall 
with  you,  ma'am.  I  used  to  live  there  years  ago, 
and  I  might  find  some  of  my  old  cronies. " 

"For  that  very  reason  you  must  not  go,"  she 
said,  hastily.  "They  would  be  asking  you  all  sorts 
of  questions,  and  you'd  be  letting  out  something." 

"They  wouldn't  get  nothing  out  of  me." 

"If  you  made  no  answer  it  would  be  as  bad. 
They  would  suspect  you." 

"And  you,  too." 

"  Precisely." 


HOME  AGAIN.  205 

"  It's  rather  hard,  Mrs.  Middleton,  I  can't  see  my 
old  friends. " 

"  You  can  make  new  ones.  A  man  with  money 
can  always  find  friends." 

"  That's  true,  ma'am,"  said  Rudolph,  brightening 
up.  "Then  you'd  recommend  me  to  stay  in  Lon- 
don? " 

"In  London,  or  anywhere  else  that  you  like  bet- 
ter. Only  don't  come  within  twenty  miles  of  Mid- 
dleton Hall. 

"Well,  ma'am,  you're  wiser  than  I  am,  and  you 
know  better  what  it's  best  to  do." 

"Of  course  I  do.  You  are  safe  in  being  guided 
by  me." 

"  But  about  the  money,  ma'am.  How  am  I  to 
get  that  if  I  don't  see  you?" 

"Once  a  quarter  I  will  pay  in  forty  pounds  to 
your  account  at  any  bank  you  choose.  You  can  let 
me  know. " 

"  All  right,  ma'am.  It's  strange  to  me  to  think 
of  having  a  bank  account." 

"  It  need  not  be  strange  henceforth.  And  now, 
Mr.  Rugg,  we  must  part.  I  must  hasten  down  to 
Middleton  Hall  to  look  after  the  estate.  I  have  been 
absent  from  it  now  for  nearly  three  months." 

"  I  suppose  you  are  in  a  hurry  to  see  your  young 
man,"  said  Rudolph,  with  a  grin. 

"  Mr.  Rugg,"  said  the  lady,  haughtily,  "  I  beg  you 
will  make  no  reference  to  my  private  affairs.  You 
speak  as  if  I  were  a  nurserymaid.'* 


206  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  ma'am.  No  offense  was 
meant.'5 

"Then  none  is  taken.  But  remember  my  cau- 
tion." 

"  She  stepped  into  the  hansom  which  was  waiting 
for  her,  and  Eudolph  remained  standing  on  the 
sidewalk." 

"She's  puttin'  on  airs,"  said  the  tramp,  frowning. 
"She  forgets  all  about  her  bein'  a  governess  once, 
without  five  pounds  in  the  world.  She  acts  as  if 
she  were  a  lady  born.  I  don't  like  it.  She  may  try 
her  airs  on  others,  but  not  on  Rudolph  Rugg.  He 
knows  a  little  too  much  about  Mrs.  Harvey  Middle- 
ton.  Rich  as  you  are,  you're  in  his  power,  and  if 
he  was  so  inclined  he  could  bring  you  down  from 
your  high  place,  so  he  could." 

But  Rudolph's  anger  was  only  transient.  He  was 
too  astute  not  to  understand  clearly  that  he  could 
not  harm  Mrs.  Middleton  without  harming  himself 
quite  as  much.  As  things  stood,  he  was  securely 
provided  for.  No  more  tramping  about  the  country 
for  him  in  all  weathers  He  had  enough  to  lodge 
and  feed  him,  and  provide  all  the  beer  and  tobacco 
he  could  use.  This  was  certainly  a  comfortable  re- 
flection. So  he  sought  out  a  comfortable  lodging 
and  installed  himself  before  night,  determined  to 
get  what  enjoyment  he  could  out  of  London  and 
the  income  he  had  so  foully  won. 

And  Mrs.  Middleton,  she,  too,  congratulated  her- 
self. 

She  leaned  back  in  the  cab  and  gave  herself  up  to 


HOME  AGAIN.  207 

joyful  anticipations  of  future  happiness  and  secu- 
rity. 

1 '  Thank  Heaven,  I  have  got  rid  of  that  low  fel- 
low," she  ejaculated,  inwardly.  I  never  want  to  see 
the  brute  again.  He  was  necessary  to  my  purpose, 
and  I  employed  him,  but  I  should  be  glad  if  he 
would  get  drowned,  or  be  run  over,  or  end  his  mis- 
erable life  in  some  way,  so  that  I  might  never  see  or 
hear  of  him  again. " 

But  the  thought  of  Eudolph  did  not  long  trouble 
her.  She  thought  rather  of  the  handsome  Captain 
Lovell,  whom  she  loved,  and  to  marry  whom  she 
had  committed  this  crime,  and  the  hard  woman's 
face  softened,  and  a  smile  crept  over  it. 

"I  shall  soon  see  him,  my  Gregory,"  she  mur- 
mured. "  He  will  soon  be  mine,  and  I  shall  be  re- 
paid for  my  long,  wearisome  journey." 


208  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

CAPTAIN  GREGORY  LOVELL. 

A  carriage  drove  rapidly  up  the  avenue  leading 
to  Middleton  Hall. 

The  hall  was  not  large,  but  was  handsome  and 
well  proportioned,  and  looked  singularly  attractive, 
its  gray  walls  forming  a  harmonious  contrast  with, 
the  bright  green  ivy  that  partially  covered  them, 
and  the  broad,  smooth  lawn  that  stretched  out  in 
front. 

Mrs.  Middleton  regarded  her  home  with  un- 
mingled  satisfaction.  It  was  to  be  her  home  now  as 
long  as  she  lived.  Xow  that  the  boy  was  dead  no 
one  could  wrest  it  from  her.  She  would  live  there, 
but  not  in  solitary  ^grandeur.  The  news  of  her  suc- 
cess would  bring  Captain  Gregory  Lovell  to  her  side, 
and  their  marriage  would  follow  as  soon  as  decency 
would  permit.  If  afterward  he  should  desire  to 
have  the  name  of  the  residence  changed  to  Lovell 
Hall,  Mrs.  Middleton  decided  that  she  would  not 
object.  Why  should  she?  She  had  no  superstitious 
love  for  her  present  name,  while  Lovell  had  for  her 
the  charm  which  love  always  gives  to  the  name  of 
the  loved  one. 

The  housekeeper,  stout  and  matronly,  received 
her  mistress  at  the  door. 


CAPTAIN  GREGORY  LOVELL.  209 

"  Welcome  home,  Mrs.  Middleton,"  she  said; 
"  how  long  it  seems  since  you  went  away." 

"How  do  you  do,  Sarah,"  said  her  mistress, 
graciously.  "I  can  assure  you  I  am  glad  to  be 
back." 

"  You  will  find  everything  in  order,  mum,  I  hope 
and  believe,"  said  Sarah.  "We  expected  to  see 
you  sooner." 

( '  I  hoped  to  be  back  sooner,  but  the  business  de- 
tained me  longer  than  I  desired." 

"And  did  you  succeed,  mum,  if  I  may  be  so  bold,' 
inquired  the  housekeeper,  curiously. 

"As  I  expected,  Sarah.  I  found  that  the  poor 
boy  was  dead." 

"Indeed,  mum." 

"  I  hoped  to  bring  him  back  with  me,  according 
to  my  poor  husband's  desire,  but  it  was  ordered 
otherwise  by  an  inscrutable  Providence." 

Sarah  coughed. 

"It  is  very  sad,"  she  said,  but  she  looked  cu- 
riously at  her  mistress. 

She  knew  very  well  that  this  sad  news  rejoiced 
the  heart  of  Mrs.  Middleton,  and  the  latter  knew 
that  she  could  not  for  a  moment  impose  upon  her 
clear-sighted  housekeeper.  But  the  farce  must  be 
kept  up  for  the  sake  of  appearances. 

"  Come  up  to  my  chamber  with  me,  Sarah.  I 
want,  to  ask  you  what  has  been  going  on  since  I 
went  away?  Have  you  heard  from  Lady  Lo veil's 
family?    Are  they  all  well? " 

Lady  Lovell  was  the  mother  of  Captain  Gregory 
Lovell,  and  the  question  was  earnestly  nut. 


210  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"They  are  all  well  except  the  captain,"  answered 
Sarah. 

"Is  he  sick?"  demanded  her  mistress,  turning 
upon  her  swiftly. 

"  Ko,  mum;  I  only  meant  to  say  that  the  cap- 
tain was  gone  away." 

"  Gone  away!     When?     Where?" 

"  He's  ordered  to  India,  I  believe,  mum.  He  went 
away  a  month  ago." 

Mrs.  Middleton  sank  into  her  chair,  quite 
overcome.  Her  joy  was  clouded,  for  the  reward 
of  her  long  and  toilsome  journey  was  snatched 
from  her. 

"Did  he  not  leave  any  message?"  she  asked. 
"  Did  he  not  call  before  he  went  away? " 

"Yes,  mum.     He  left  a  note." 

"  Give  it  to  me  quick.  Why  did  you  not  mention 
it  to  me  before?" 

"It's  the  first  chance  I  got,  mum.  The  letter  is 
in  my  own  chamber.  I  took  the  best  care  of  it.  I 
will  get  it  directly." 

"Do  go,  Sarah." 

Mrs.  Middleton  awaited  the  return  of  Sarah  with 
nervous  impatience.  Perhaps  the  captain  had 
thrown  her  over,  after  all,  and,  loving  him  as  she 
did,  this  would  have  torn  the  heart  of  the  intriguing 
woman,  who,  cold  and  selfish  as  she  was  so  far  as 
others  were  concerned,  really  loved  the  handsome 
captain. 

Sarah  speedily  reappeared  with  the  letter. 

"Here  it  is,  mum,"  she  said.  "I  have  taken  the 
best  care  of  it." 


CAPTAIN  GREGORY  LOVELL.  211 

Mrs.  Middleton  tore  it  open  with  nervous  haste 
This  is  the  way  it  ran: 

"  My  Dear  J  axe — I  am  about  to  set  out  for  India 
— not  willingly,  but  my  regiment  is  ordered  there, 
and  I  must  obey  or  quit  the  service.  This,  as  you 
well  know,  I  cannot  do ;  for  apart  from  my  official 
pay,  I  have  but  a  paltry  two  hundred  pounds  a 
year,  and  that  is  barely  enough  to  pay  my  tailor's 
biU.  I  am  sorry  to  go  away  in  your  absence.  If  I 
were  only  sure  you  would  bring  home  good  news,  I 
could  afford  to  sell  my  commission  and  wait.  But  it 
is  so  uncertain  that  I  cannot  take  the  risk. 

"  I  need  not  say,  my  dear  Jane,  how  anxious  I 
am  to  have  all  the  impediments  to  our  union  re- 
moved. I  am  compelled  to  be  mercenary.  It  is, 
alas!  necessary  for  me,  as  a  younger  son,  to  marry  a 
woman  with  money.  I  shall  be  happy,  indeed,  if 
interest  and  love  go  hand  in  hand,  as  they  will  if 
your  absolute  claim  to  your  late  husband's  estate  is 
proved  beyond  a  doubt.  I  append  my  India  ad- 
dress, and  shall  anxiously  expect  a  communication 
from  you  on  your  return.  If  you  have  been  suc- 
cessful, I  will  arrange  to  return  at  once,  and  our 
union  can  be  solemnized  without  delay.  Once 
more,  farewell. 

"  Your  devoted 

"  Gregory  Lovell." 

Mrs.  Middleton,  after  reading  this  letter,  breathed 
a  sigh  of  relief.  He  was  still  hers,  and  she  had 
only  to  call  him  back.     There  would  be  a  vexatious 


212  TOXY,    THE   HERO. 

delay,  but  that  must  be  submitted  to.  She  had 
feared  to  lose  him,  and  this  apprehension,  at  least, 
might  be  laid  aside. 

To  some  the  letter  would  have  seemed  too  mer- 
cenary. Even  Mrs.  Middleton  could  not  help  sus- 
pecting that,  between  love  and  interest,  the  latter 
was  far  the  most  powerful  in  the  mind  of  Captain 
Lovell.  But  she  purposely  closed  her  eyes  to  this 
unpleasant  suspicion.  She  was  in  love  with  the 
handsome  captain,  and  it  was  the  great  object  of 
her  life  to  become  his  wife.  She  decided  to  answer 
the  letter  immediately. 

Her  desk  was  at  hand,  and  she  opened  it  at  once, 
and  wrote  a  brief  letter  to  her  absent  lover: 

"Dear  Gregory — I  have  just  returned.  I  am 
deeply  disappointed  to  find  you  absent,  for,  my  dar- 
ling, I  have  succeeded.  I  have  legal  proof — proof 
that  cannot  be  disputed — that  the  boy,  my  hus- 
band's cousin,  is  dead.  The  poor  boy  was  accident- 
ally killed.  I  have  the  sworn  affidavit  of  the  man 
who  took  him  to  America,  and  who  was  his  constant 
companion  there. 

"  It  is  a  sad  fate  for  the  poor  boy.  I  sincerely  de- 
plore his  tragical  end — he  was  run  over  by  a  train  of 
cars — yet  (is  it  wicked?),  my  grief  is  mitigated  by 
the  thought  that  it  removes  all  obstacle  to  our  union- 
I  do  not  for  an  instant  charge  you  with  interested 
motives.  I  am  sure  of  your  love,  but  I  also  com- 
prehend the  necessities  of  }^our  position.  You  have 
been  brought  up  as  a  gentleman,  and  you  have  the 


CAPTAIN  GREGORY  LOVELL.  213 

tastes  of  a  gentleman.  You  cannot  surrender  your 
social  position.  It  is  necessary  that,  if  you  marry, 
you  should  have  an  adequate  income  to  live  upon. 
My  darling  Gregory,  I  am  proud  and  happy  in  the 
thought  that  I  can  make  you  such.  You  know  my 
estate.  The  rental  is  two  thousand  pounds,  and 
that  is  enough  to  maintain  our  social  rank.  Come 
home,  then,  as  soon. as  you  receive  this  letter.  I  am 
awaiting  you  impatiently,  and  can  hardly  reconcile 
myself  to  the  delay  that  must  be.  Make  it  as  short 
as  possible,  and  let  me  hear  from  you  at  once. 
' '  Your  own, 

"  Jane  Middleton." 

There  was  unexpected  delay  in  the  reception  of 
this  letter.  It  was  three  months  before  it  came  into 
the  hands  of  Captain  Lovell.  When  at  length  it 
was  received,  he  read  it  with  a  mixture  of  emo- 
tions. 

"  Decidedly,"  he  said,  removing  the  cigar  from  his 
mouth,  "the  old  girl  is  fond  of  me.  I  wish  I  were 
fond  of  her,  for  I  suppose  I  must  marry  her.  It  will 
be  rather  a  bad  pill  to  swallow,  but  it  is  well  gilded. 
Two  thousand  pounds  a  year  are  not  to  be  thrown 
away  by  a  fellow  in  my  straits.  The  prospect  might 
be  brighter,  but  I  suppose  I  have  no  right  to  com- 
plain. It  will  make  me  comfortable  for  life.  I  must 
take  care  to  have  the  estate  settled  upon  me,  and 
then  the  sooner  the  old  girl  dies  the  better." 

So  Captain  Lovell  wrote  at  once,  saying  that  he 
would  return  home  as  soon  as  he  could  make  ar- 


214  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

rangements  for  doing  so — that  every  day  would 
seem  a  month  till  he  could  once  more  embrace  his 
dear  Jane.  The  letter  was  signed,  "Your  devoted 
Gregory. " 

Mrs.  Middleton  read  it  with  unfeigned  delight. 
Her  plans  had  succeeded,  and  the  reward  would 
soon  be  hers. 

But  there  was  fresh  delay.  Arrangements  to  re- 
turn could  not  be  made  so  easily  as  Captain  Lovell 
anticipated.  It  was  seven  months  from  the  day 
Mrs.  Middleton  reached  England  when  Captain 
Lovell  was  driven  to  his  hotel  in  London.  Mean- 
while events  had  occurred  which  were  to  have  an 
effect  upon  Mrs.  Middleton's  plans. 


TONY  ASTONISHES  HIS   OLD  FRIENDS.  215 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

TONY  ASTONISHES  HIS  OLD  FRIENDS. 

"Tony,"  said  George  Spencer  one  evening,  "you 
have  been  making  wonderful  progress  in  your 
studies.  In  six  months  you  have  accomplished  as 
much  as  I  did  at  boarding  school  in  two  years 
when  at  your  age." 

' '  Do  you  really  mean  it,  Mr.  Spencer  ? "  said 
Tony,  gratified. 

"  I  am  quite  in  earnest." 

" I  am  very  glad  of  it,"  said  Tony.  "  When  I  be- 
gan I  was  almost  discouraged.  I  was  so  much  be- 
hind boys  of  my  age." 

"  And  now  your  attainements  raise  you  above  the 
average.  Your  tutor  told  me  so  yesterday  when  I 
made  inquiries. " 

"I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  it,  Mr.  Spencer,  I  was  very 
much  ashamed  of  myself  at  first,  and  I  did  not  like 
to  speak  before  your  friends  for  fear  they  would 
find  out  what  sort  of  a  life  I  led.  That  is  what  made 
me  work  so  hard." 

"Well,  Tony,  you  may  congratulate  yourself  on 
having  succeeded.  I  think  you  can  venture  now  to 
take  a  little  vacation." 

"  A  vacation  !  I  don't  need  one." 

"Suppose  it  were  spent  in  Europe  ?" 


TONY  ASTONISHES  HIS   OLD   FRIENDS.  215 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

TONY  ASTONISHES  HIS  OLD  FRIENDS. 

"Tony,"  said  George  Spencer  one  evening,  "you 
have  been  making  wonderful  progress  in  your 
studies.  In  six  months  you  have  accomplished  as 
much  as  I  did  at  boarding  school  in  two  years 
when  at  your  age." 

' ( Do  you  really  mean  it,  Mr.  Spencer  ? "  said 
Tony,  gratified. 

"  I  am  quite  in  earnest." 

"I  am  very  glad  of  it,"  said  Tony.  u  When  I  be- 
gan I  was  almost  discouraged.  I  was  so  much  be- 
hind boys  of  my  age." 

"  And  now  your  attainements  raise  you  above  the 
average.  Your  tutor  told  me  so  yesterday  when  I 
made  inquiries." 

"I  am  rejoiced  to  he***  it,  Mr.  IS'  aieer,  I  was  very 
much  ashamed  of  myself  at  fire*  did  not  like 

to  speak  before  your  friencu  f«  -ney  would 

find  out  what  sort  of  a  life  I  led.  s  what  made 

me  work  so  hard." 

"Well,  Tony,  you  may  congraio  ,  yourself  on 
having  succeeded.  I  think  you  cart  iture  now  to 
take  a  little  vacation. " 

"  A  vacation  !  I  don't  need  one.  ' 

"Suppose  it  were  spent  in  Europe  '" 


216  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"  What ! "  exclaimed  Tony,  eagerly,  "  you  don't 
think  of  our  going  abroad  ?  " 

' '  Yes.  The  house  with  which  I  am  connected 
wants  me  to  go  abroad  on  business.  If  I  go  you 
may  go  with  me  if  you  would  like  it." 

"  Like  it ! "  exclaimed  Tony,  impetuously.  "  There 
is  nothing  I  would  like  better." 

"  So  I  supposed,"  said  George  Spencer,  smiling. 
"  I  may  as  well  tell  you  that  our  passage  is  taken 
for  next  Saturday,  by  the  Eussia." 

"And  this  is  Monday  evening.  How  soon  it 
seems  !  " 

"There  won't  be  much  preparation  to  make — 
merely  packing  your  trunk." 

"Mr.  Spencer,"  said  Tony,  "I  want  to  ask  a 
favor." 

"What  is  it?" 

"I  have  told  you  about  being  employed  at  a 
country  hotel,  just  before  I  came  to  the  city  and 
found  you." 

"Yes. 

"  I  would  like  to  go  back  there  for  a  day,  just  to 
see  how  all  my  old  friends  are." 

"You  don't  mean  to  apply  again  for  your  old 
place  ? " 

1 1  Not  unless  you  turn  me  off,  and  I  have  to  find 
work  somewhere." 

"Turn  you  off,  Tony!  Why,  I  shouldn't  know 
how  to  get  along  without  you.  You  are  like  a 
younger  brother  to  me,"  said  the  young  man,  earn- 
estly. 


TONY  ASTONISHES   HIS   OLD  FRIENDS.  2 IT 

5 '  Thank  you,  Mr.  Spencer.  You  seem  like  an 
older  brother  to  me.  Sometimes  I  can  hardly  be- 
lieve that  I  was  once  a  tramp." 

"  It  was  your  misfortune,  Tony,  not  your  fault. 
So  you  want  to  go  back  and  view  your  former 
home? " 

"Yes,  Mr.  Spencer." 

tC  Then  you  had  better  start  to-morrow  morning, 
so  as  to  be  back  in  good  time  to  prepare  for  the 
journey." 

"Do  you  know,  Mr.  Spencer,"  said  Tony,  "Ive 
got  an  idea.  I'll  go  back  wearing  the  same  clothes 
I  had  on  when  I  left  there." 

"  Have  you  got  them  still? " 

"  Yes,  I  laid  them  away,  just  to  remind  me  of  my 
old  life.  I'll  take  my  other  clothes  in  a  bundle,  and 
after  a  while  I  can  put  them  on. " 

"  What  is  your  idea  in  doing  this,  Tony?"  asked 
the  young  man. 

"  I  want  to  give  them  a  surprise." 

"Very  well,  do  as  you  please.  Only  don't  stay 
away  too  long. " 

7T  •&  vr  *  -rS-  vr 

Tony  proceeded  to  carry  out  the  plan  he  had  pro- 
posed. 

He  traveled  by  rail  to  a  village  near  by,  and  then 
with  his  bundle  suspended  to  a  stick,  took  up  his 
march  to  the  tavern. 

He  entered  the  familiar  stable  yard.  All  looked 
as  it  did  the  day  he  left.  There  was  only  one  per- 
son in  the  yard,  and  that  one  Tony  recognized  at 


218  TONY,   THE  HERO. 

once  as  his  old  enemy,  Sam  Payson,  who  appeared 
to  be  filling  his  old  position,  as  stable  boy. 

"Hallo,  Sam!"  said  Tony,  whose  entrance  had 
not  been  observed. 

Sam  looked  np  and  whistled. 

"What,  have  you  come  back? "  he  said,  not  ap- 
pearing overjoyed  at  the  sight  of  Tony. 

"  Yes,  Sam,"  said  Tony. 

"  Where  have  you  been  all  the  time? " 

"  In  New  York  part  of  the  time." 

"What  have  you  been  doing  for  a  living?" 

"  Well,  I  lived  with  a  gentleman  there." 

"  What  did  you  do— black  his  boots?" 

"Not  exactly." 

"  Did  he  turn  you  off? " 

"  No  ;   but  he's  going  to  Europe  next  Saturday." 

"  So  you're  out  of  a  place? " 

"  I  have  no  employment." 

"What  made  you  come  back  here?"  demanded 
Sam,  suspiciously. 

"  I  thought  I'd  like  to  see  you  all  again." 

"  That  don't  go  down,  "said  Sam  roughly.  I  know 
well  enough  what  you're  after. " 

"What  am  I  after?" 

"  You're  after  my  place.  You're  hoping  Mr.  Por- 
ter will  take  you  on  again.  But  it's  no  use.  There 
ain't  any  chance  for  you." 

"How  long  have  you  been  back  again,  Sam?  " 

"  Three  months,  and  I  am  going  to  stay,  too.  You 
got  me  turned  off  once,  but  you  can't  do  it  again." 

"I  don't  want  to."  ■ 


TONY  ASTONISHES  HIS   OLD  FBIENDS.  219 

uOh,  no,  I  presume  not,"  sneered  Sam.  "Of 
course,  you  don't.  You've  got  on  the  same  clothes 
you  wore  away,  haven't  you? " 

"'Yes,  it's  the  same  suit,  hut  I've  got  some  more 
things  in  my  bundle." 

' '  I  guess  you  haven't  made  your  fortune,  by  the 
looks." 

"The  fact  is,  Sam,  I  haven't  earned  much  since  I 
went  away." 

"I  knew  you  wouldn't.  You  ain't  so  smart  as 
people  think." 

"I  didn't  know  anybody  thought  me  smart." 

"  James,  the  hostler,  is  always  talking  you  up  to 
me,  but  I  guess  I  can  rub  along  as  well  as  you." 

' i  You  talk  as  if  I  was  your  enemy,  Sam,  instead 
of  your  friend." 

"I  don't  want  such  a  friend.  You're  after  my 
place,  in  spite  of  all  you  say." 

Just  then  James,  the  hostler,  came  out  of  the 
stable. 

"  What,  is  it  you,  Tony?"  he  asked,  cordially. 

"Yes,  James;  I  hope  you're  well." 

"  Tip-top;  and  how  are  you?"  asked  the  hostler, 
examining  Tony,  critically. 

"I'm  well." 

"  Have  you  been  doing  well? " 

"  I  haven't  wanted  for  anything.  I've  been  with 
a  gentleman  in  New  York." 

Here  Mr.  Porter  appeared  on  the  scene. 

He  too,  recognized  Tony. 

"What  !  back  again,  Tony?"  he  said. 


220  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"I  thought  I'd  just  look  in,  sir." 
"  Do  you  want  a  place?  " 
"What  sort  of  a  place?" 

"Your  old  place." 

Sam  heard  this,  and  looked  the  picture  of  dismay. 
He  took  it  for  granted  that  Tony  would  accept  at 
once,  and  privately  determined  that  if  he  did  he 
would  give  him  a  flogging,  if  it  were  a  possible 
thing. 

He  was  both  relieved  and  surprised  when  Tony 
answered: 

' '  I  am  much  obliged  to  you,  Mr.  Porter,  but  I 
wouldn't  like  to  cut  out  Sam.  Besides,  I  have  a 
place  engaged  in  New  York. " 

"I  would  rather  have  you  than  Sam,  any  day." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,  but  I've  made  an  arrangement, 
and  can't  break  it." 

"  How  long  are  you  going  to  stay  here? " 

' '  If  you've  a  spare  room,  I'll  stay  over  till  to-mor- 
row." 

"All  right.  Go  into  the  office.,  and  they'll  give 
you  one." 

"  I  say,  Tony,"  said  Sam,  after  the  landlord  had 
gone,  "you're  abetter  fellow  than  I  thought  you 
were.  I  thought  you'd  take  my  place  when  it  was 
offered  you." 

"You  see  you  were  mistaken,  Sam.  I'll  see  you 
again. " 

Tony  went  into  the  hotel — went  up  to  a  small 
chamber  that  had  been  assigned  him,  changed  his 
clothes  for  a  handsome  suit  in  his  bundle,  took  a 


TONY  ASTONISHES  HIS   OLD   FRIENDS.  221 

handsome  gold  watch  and  chain  from  his  pocket 
and  displayed  them  on  his  vest,  and  then  came  down 
again. 

As  he  entered  the  yard  again,  Sam  stared  in 
amazement. 

"  It  can't  be  you,  Tony!  "  he  said.  ( '  Where'd  you 
get  them  clothes,  and  that  watch?" 

"I  came  by  them  honestly,  Sam." 

"  But  I  can't  understand  it, "said  Sam,  scratching 
his  head.     "  Aint  you  poor,  and  out  of  work?" 

"  I'm  out  of  work,  but  not  poor.  I've  been  adopfc- 
ted  by  a  rich  gentleman,  and  am  going  to  sail  for 
Europe  on  Saturday." 

"  Cracky  !  who  ever  heard  the  like  ?  Wouldn't  he 
adopt  me,  too? " 

"I  believe  there  is  no  vacancy,"  said  Tony,  smil- 
ing. 

""Was  that  the  reason  you  wouldn't  take  my 
place?" 

"  One  reason." 

"  James! "  caUed  Sam,  "  just  look  at  Tony  now." 

James  stared,  and  when  an  explanation  was  made, 
heartily  congratulated  our  hero. 

"  Sam,"  said  Tony,  producing  a  couple  of  showy 
neck- ties,  "  to  prove  to  you  that  I  am  not  your  ene- 
my, I  have  brought  you  these." 

"They're  stunning!"  exclaimed  the  enraptured 
Sam.  ' i  I  always  thought  you  was  a  good  fellow, 
Tony.     Are  they  really  for  me? " 

"  To  be  sure  they  are,  but  I'm  afraid,  Sam,  you 
didn't  always  think  quite  so  well  of  me. " 


222  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"  Well,  I  do  now.     You're  a  trump." 

"And,  James,  I've  brought  you  a  present  too." 
Here  Tony  produced  a  handsome  silver  watch  with 
a  silver  chain  appended.   "It's  to  remember  me  by." 

' ( I'd  remember  you  without  it,  Tony,  but  I'm  very 
much  obliged  too.     It's  a  real  beauty." 

When  the  landlord  was  told  of  Tony's  good  for- 
tune, he  was  as  much  surprised  as  the  rest.  Our 
hero  was  at  once  changed  to  the  handsomest  room 
in  the  hotel,  and  was  made  quite  a  lion  during  the 
remainder  of  his  stay. 

There  is  something  in  success  after  all. 

"  Good-by,  Tony,"  said  Sam  heartily,  when  our 
hero  left  the  next  day.  You're  a  gentleman,  and 
I  always  said  so." 

"  Thank  you,  Sam.  Good  luck  to  you!  "  responded 
Tony,  smiling. 

"  I'm  a  much  finer  fellow  than  when  I  was  a 
tramp,"  he  said  to  himself.  "Sam  says  so,  and  he 
ought  to  know.  I  suppose  it's  the  way  of  the  world. 
And  now  for  Europe! " 


TONY'S  BAD   LUCK.  223 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

toxy's  bad  luck. 

Two  weeks  later  Tony  and  his  friend  were  guests 
at  a  popular  London  hotel,  not  far  from  Charing 
Cross. 

"  We  will  postpone  business  till  we  have  seen  a 
little  of  London,"  said  George  Spencer.  "  Luckily 
my  business  is  not  of  a  pressing  character,  and  it 
can  wait." 

"  You  have  been  in  London  before,  Mr.  Spencer," 
said  Tony.  "I  am  afraid  you  will  find  it  a  bore  go- 
ing round  with  me." 

"  Not  at  all.  I  spent  a  week  here  when  a  boy  of 
twelve,  and  saw  nothing  thoroughly,  so  I  am  at 
your  disposal.     Where  shall  we  go  first  ? " 

"I  should  like  to  see  Buckingham  Palace,  where 
the  queen  lives." 

"  She  doesn't  live  there  much.  However,  we'll  go 
to  see  it,  but  we'll  take  the  Parliament  House  and 
Westminster  Abbey  on  the  way." 

In  accordance  with  this  programme  they  walked 
— for  the  distance  was  but  short — to  Westminster 
Abbey.  It  would  be  out  of  place  for  me  to  describe 
here  that  wonderful  church  where  so  much  of  the 
rank  and  talent  of  past  ages  lies  buried.  It  is 
enough  to  say  that  Tony  enjoyed  it  highly.  He 
afterward  visited  the  Parliament  House.     This  oc- 


224  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

cupied  another  hour.  When  they  came  out  Mr. 
Spencer  said: 

"  Tony,  I  have  got  to  go  to  my  banker's.  Do  you 
care  to  come  ? " 

"No,  thank  you,  Mr.  Spencer,  I  would  rather 
walk  round  by  myself." 

"Very  well,  Tony,  just  as  you  please.  Only  don't 
get  lost." 

"I'll  take  care  of  that;  I'm  used  to  cities." 

"You  are  not  used  to  London.  It  is  one  of  the 
blindest  cities  in  the  world;  it  is  a  complete  laby- 
rinth." 

"I  don't  mean  to  get  lost.  You'll  find  me  at  the 
hotel  at  four  o'clock." 

"  Very  well.     That  will  be  early  enough." 

So  George  Spencer  went  his  way,  and  Tony  set 
out  upon  his  rambles. 

He  found  plenty  to  amuse  him  in  the  various 
buildings  and  sights  of  the  great  metropolis.  But 
after  awhile  he  began  to  wonder  where  he  was.  He 
had  strayed  into  a  narrow  street,  scarcely  more  than 
a  lane,  with  a  row  of  tumble-down  dwellings  on 
either  side. 

" There's  nothing  worth  seeing  here,"  said  our 
hero.     "  I'll  inquire  my  way  to  Charing  Cross." 

He  went  into  a  small  beer  house,  and  preferred 
his  request." 

' '  Charing  Cross !  "  repeated  the  publican.  It's  a 
good  ways  from  'ere." 

"How  far?"  asked  Tony. 

"  A  mile  easy,  and  there's  no  end  of  turns." 


TONY'S  BAD   LUCK.  225 

si  Just  start  me,  then,"  said  Tony,  ' '  and  I'll  reach 
there.     Which  way  is  it  \ " 

"  Turn  to  the  left  when  you  go  out  of  this  shop." 

"All  right,  and  thank  you." 

Tony  noticed  that  there  were  three  or  four  men 
seated  at  tables  in  the  back  part  of  the  shop,  but  he 
had  not  the  curiosity  to  look  at  them.  If  he  had, 
he  would  have  been  startled,  for  among  these  men 
was  Euclolph  Rugg,  more  disreputable  than  ever  in 
appearance,  for  he  had  been  drinking  deeply  for 
the  last  six  months.  He  stared  at  Tony  as  one 
dazed,  for  he  supposed  him  dead  long  ago  at  the 
bottom  of  a  well  three  thousand  miles  away. 

"  What's  the  matter,  Rugg?"  asked  his  compan- 
ion.    "  You  look  as  if  you'd  seen  a  ghost." 

"So  I  have,"  muttered  Rugg,  starting  for  the 
door. 

"  Where  are  you  going  ? " 

"I've,  got  a  headache,"  said  Rudolph. 

"You've  left  your  drink." 

"I  don't  want  it." 

"What's  come  over  him  ?"  said  his  late  compan- 
ion, in  surprise. 

"No  matter.     He'll  be  back  soon." 

Rudolph  swiftly  followed  Tony.  He  wanted  to 
find  out  whether  it  was  really  the  boy  whom  he  had 
sought  to  murder  or  not.  Then  what  did  his  appear- 
ance in  London  mean  ?  Was  he  possibly  in  search 
of  him — Rugg  ?  It  was  wonderful,  certainly.  How 
had  he  obtained  the  means  of  coming  to  England  ? 
—as  a  gentleman,  too,  for  Rudolph  had  not  failed  to 


226  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

notice  his  rich  clothes.  Had  he  obtained  rich  and 
powerful  friends,  and  was  he  in  search  of  the  in- 
heritance that  had  been  wrongfully  kept  from 
him  ? 

Budolph  asked  himself  all  these  questions,  but  he 
could  not  answer  one. 

"  If  I  could  only  ask  him,"  he  thought,  "  but  that 
wouldn't  be  safe." 

By  this  time  he  had  come  in  sight  of  Tony,  who 
was  walking  along  slowly,  not  feeling  in  any  par- 
ticular hurry. 

An  idea  struck  Eudolph. 

A  boy  who  had  been  employed  in  begging  was 
standing  on  the  sidewalk. 

"Gi'me  a  penny,  sir,"  he  said. 

Eudolph  paused. 

' '  Walk  along  with  me,  and  I'll  show  you  how  you 
can  earn  half  a  crown,"  he  eaid. 

"Will  you  ? "  said  the  boy,  his  face  brightening. 

"  Yes,  I  will,  and  you  won't  find  it  hard  work, 
either." 

"  Go  ahead,  gov'nor." 

"Do  you  see  that  boy  ahead  ?" 

' '  That  young  gentleman  ? "  I 

"  Yes,"  said  Eudolph. 

"I  see  him." 

"I  want  you  to  manage  to  get  him  up  to  my 

room;  it's  No.  7  street,  top  floor,  just  at  the 

head  of  the  stairs." 

"Shall  I  tell  him  you  want  to  see  him  ? " 

"No,    he  wouldn't  come.     Tell  him  your  p(K>r 


TONY'S  BAD   LUCK.  22"< 

grandfather  is  sick  in  bed — anything  yon  like,  only 
get  him  to  come. " 

"S'posin'  he  wont  come  ?" 

"  Then  follow  him,  and  find  out  where  he  is  stay- 
ing.    Do  you  understand  \  " 

"Yes,  gov  nor.     I'll  bring  him." 

"Go  ahead,  and  I'll  hurry  round  to  the  room.  I'll 
be  in  bed." 

"  All  right." 

The  boy  was  a  sharp  specimen  of  the  juvenile 
London  beggar.  He  was  up  to  the  usual  tricks  of 
his  class,  and  quite  competent  to  the  task  which 
Eudolph  had  engaged  him  to  perform.'' 

He  came  up  to  Tony,  and  then  began  to  whim- 
per. 

" What's  the  matter,  Johnny?"  said  Tony,  ad- 
dressing him  by  the  usual  New  York  name  for  an 
unknown  boy. 

"Oh,  my  poor  grandfather  is  so  sick,"  said  the 
boy. 

"  What's  the  matter  with  him  ? " 

"  I  don't  know.     I  guess  he's  goin'  to  die." 

"  Why  don't  you  send  for  a  doctor  ? " 

"He  would't  come — we're  so  poor." 

"Do  you  live  near  here  ? " 

"  Oh,  yes,  sir;  only  a  little  way." 

"I  want  to  go  to  Charing  Cross — is  it  much  out 
of  the  way?" 

"  No,  sir;  it's  right  on  the  way  there." 

"Then,  if  you'll  show  me  the  way  to  Charing 
Cross  afterward,  I  will  go  round  with  you  and  look 


228  TOXY,    THE   HEEO. 

at  your  grandfather.  Perhaps  I  can  do  something 
for  Mm." 

"Oh,  sir,  how  kind  you  are!  I  know'd  you  was 
a  gentleman  when  I  fust  saw  you." 

"  When  was  your  grandfather  taken  sick  ? " 

"  Two  days  ago/''  said  the  boy. 

"Is  he  in  bed  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir.  Leastways,  he  was  when  I  came  out. 
We  didn't  have  no  breakfast." 

"  I  am  sorry  for  that.  Don't  you  want  to  buy 
something  to  take  to  him  ? " 

"If  you'll  give  me  a  shillin ,  sir,  I'll  ask  him  what 
he  can  eat.  Sick  folks  can't  eat  the  same  things  as 
the  rest  of  us." 

"To  be  sure.  You  are  right.  Well,  here's  a 
shilling." 

"  The  boy  little  thinks  that  I  have  known  many 
a  time  what  it  is  to  be  without  breakfast  or  money 
to  buy  any,"  thought  Tony.  "I'll  do  something  for 
the  poor  man,  if  only  to  show  how  grateful  I  am 
for  my  own  good  fortune." 

He  followed  the  boy  for  about  ten  minutes^  until 
they  reached  rather  a  shabby  building.  This  was 
No.  7. 

"Come  right  up  after  me,"  said  the  boy. 

The  two  went  up  till  they  reached  the  room  indi- 
cated by  Rudolph.     The  boy  pushed  the  door  open. 

A  sound  of  groaning  proceeded  from  the  bed. 

"Grandfather,  I've  brought  a  kind  young  gentle- 
man," said  the  boy. 

"Come  here,"  muttered  the  person  in  bed. 


TONY'S  BAD  LUCK.  229 

Tony  came  up  to  the  bed. 

In  an  instant  Rudolph  had  thrown  off  the  clothes 
and  had  him  seized  by  the  arm. 

"  There's  your  money,  boy.  Go!  "  he  said  to  the 
other,  flinging  a  half-crown." 

"I've  got  you  at  last! "  he  shouted.  "  Now,  you 
young  villain,  I'll  get  even  with  you!  " 

His  face  was  almost  fiendish  with  rage,  as  he 
uttered  these  words. 


230  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

"i  HATE  YOU!" 

To  say  that  Tony  was  not  startled  would  not  be 
true.  Without  a  moment's  warning  he  found  him- 
self in  the  power  of  his  old  enemy — completely  in 
his  power,  knowing,  too,  the  desperate  character 
of  the  man,  which  would  let  him  stick  at  nothing. 

Eudolph  enjoyed  his  evident  surprise. 

"I've  been  waiting  for  this,"  he  said.  "It's  a 
great  joy  to  me  to  have  you  here  in  my  power." 

By  this  time  Tony  had  collected  himself,  and  had 
become  composed. 

"Rudolph,"  he  said,  "what  makes  you  hate  me 
so?" 

"  Haven't  you  tried  to  injure  me — didn't  you  get 
me  arrested?  Do  you  forget  that  night  in  the  old 
miser's  hut? " 

"  No,  I  don't  forget  it,  but  you  forced  me  to  act 
as  I  did.  But  even  if  I  did  injure  you,  you  took 
your  revenge." 

"When,  and  how?" 

"  When  you  threw  me  into  the  well.  How  could 
you  do  such  a  dark  deed?  What  had  I  done  that 
you  should  seek  to  murder  ne?" 

"  How  did  you  get  out? "  \sked  Rudolph,  giving 
way  to  curiosity. 


231 


"I  climbed  out." 
"How?" 


' '  By  means  of  the  wall  that  lined  the  well.  Fi- 
nally I  got  hold  of  the  rope. " 

"So  that  was  the  way,  was  it?  I  ought  to  have 
made  surer  of  your  fate." 

"  How  could  you  do  that?  " 

"  By  throwing  some  rocks  down  on  you,"  an- 
swered the  tramp,  with  a  malignant  frown. 

"  I  am  glad  I  have  not  such  a  wicked  disposition 
as  you,  Rudolph, "  said  Tony,  looking  at  him  fix- 
edly. 

"Take  care  how  you  insult  me,  boy!"  said  Ru- 
dolph, angrily. 

"  I  have  no  wish  to  insult  you.  Now  tell  me  why 
you  have  lured  me  here?  I  suppose  you  hired  the 
hoy." 

"I  did,  and  he  did  the  work  well,  "said  the  tramp, 
triumphantly. 

' '  Well,  now  I  am  here,  what  do  you  want  of 
me?" 

"  First,  tell  me  how  you  happen  to  be  in  London? 
Did  you  know  I  was  here? " 

"I  knew  you  crossed  the  Atlantic." 

'SHow?" 

"I  saw  you  buy  your  ticket." 

"What?"  exclaimed  the  tramp,  in  surprise. 
"Did  you  reach  New  York  so  soon? " 

"Yes.  I  lost  my  situation  at  the  inn,  for  they 
did  not  believe  my  story  about  having  been  thrown 
down  the  well  by  a  Quaker." 


232  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

Rudolph  laughed. 

ci  It  was  a  good  disguise,"  he  said.  "  So  they  dis- 
charged you?    That  was  good." 

"  I  did  not  think  so  at  the  time,  but  it  proved  to 
be  the  luckiest  thing  that  could  happen  to  me." 

" How  was  that?" 

"It  led  me  to  go  to  New  York.  There  I  found  a 
rich  and  generous  friend.  I  have  been  with  him 
ever  since." 

"Asa  servant?" 

"No;  as  his  adopted  brother.  He  supplied  me 
with  teachers,  and  in  little  more  than  six  months  I 
have  acquired  as  much  as  most  boys  do  in  two  or 
three  years." 

"  So  you  have  gone  in  for  education,  have  you?" 
said  Rudolph,  sneering. 

"  Yes.     Could  I  go  in  for  anything  better? " 

"And  you  consider  yourself  a  young  gentleman, 
now,  do  you? " 

"That is  the  rank  I  hold  in  society,"  said  Tony, 
calmly. 

"  And  you  forget  that  you  were  once  Tony,  the 
Tramp?" 

"No,  Rudolph,  I  have  not  forgotten  that.  It  was 
not  my  fault,  and  I  am  not  ashamed  of  it.  But  I 
should  be  ashamed  if  I  had  not  left  that  kind  of  life 
as  soon  as  I  was  able." 

"By  Heaven,  you  shall  go  back  to  it!  "  said  Ru- 
dolph, malignantly. 

' '  I  never  will, "  answered  Tony,  gently,  but  firm- 


233 

"  I  will  force  you  to  it." 

"  Neither  you  nor  any  one  else  can  force  me  to  it. 
I  will  black  boots  in  the  street  first.-' 

"  That  will  suit  me  just  as  well,"  said  the  tramp, 
laughing  maliciously.  You  have  grown  too  proud. 
I  want  to  lower  your  pride,    young  popinjay." 

' '  I  am  not  afraid  of  anything  you  can  do  to  me, 
Rudolph,"  said  Tony,  bravely. 

"  Suppose  I  choose  to  kill  you?  " 

"  You  won't  dare  do  it.  We  are  not  in  the  woods 
now. " 

Tony  had  hit  the  truth.  Rudolph  did  not  dare  to 
kill  him,  though  he  would  have  been  glad  to.  But 
he  knew  that  he  would  himself  be  arrested,  and  he 
had  more  to  live  for  now  than  formerly.  He  had 
an  income,  and  comfortably  provided  for,  and  he 
did  not  choose  to  give  up  this  comfortable  and  in- 
dependent life. 

"No,"  he  said,  "I  won't  kill  you;  but  I  will  be 
revenged  for  all  that.  First,  I  will  keep  you  from 
that  generous  friend  of  yours." 

"  What  will  he  think  has  become  of  me? "  thought 
Tony,  uneasily. 

A  thought  came  to  him.  He  would  appeal  to  the 
man's  love  of  money. 

"  Rudolph,"  he  said,  "I  am  afraid  my  friend  will 
be  uneasy  about  me.  If  you  will  let  me  go  I  will 
give  you  ten  pounds  that  I  have  in  my  pocket." 

1  I  don't  believe  you  have  so  much  money,"  said 
Rudolph,  cunningly. 

Tony  fell  into    the  snare    unsuspectingly.      He 


23±  TOXY,    THE   HERO. 

drew  out  his  pocket-book  and  displayed  two  five- 
pound  notes  on  the  Bank  of  England. 

Eudolph  quickly  snatched  them  from  him. 

"  They  are  mine  already/*'  he  said,  with  a  mock- 
ing laugh. 

"  So  I  see,"  said  Tony,  coolly;  "but  I  was  about 
to  offer  you  fifty  pounds  besides." 

"Have  you  the  money  in  your  pocket  book? " 

"  No,  I  haven't,  but  I  could  get  it  from  Mr.  Spen- 
cer.'* 

"  It  don't  go  down,  Tony,"  said  Rudolph,  shak- 
ing his  head.  "  I  am  not  so  much  in  need  of  money 
as  to  pay  so  dearly  for  it.  Listen  to  me.  If  you 
have  been  lucky,  so  have  I.  I  have  an  income,  safe 
and  sure,  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds." 

' '  You  have !  "  exclaimed  Tony,  surprised. 

"Yes." 

"  Do  you  hold  any  position?*' 

"  No;  I  merely  promise  to  keep  my  mouth  shut." 

"  Is  it  about  me?" 

"  Yes.  The  long  and  short  of  it  is  that  there  is 
m  English  estate,  bringing  in  two  thousand  pounds 
rental,  that  of  right  belongs  to  you. " 

"Tome — an  estate  of  two  thousand  pounds  a 
7ear?"  exclaimed  Tony,  in  astonishment. 

"  Yes;  the  party  who  owns  it  pays  me  an  income 
as  hush  money.  I  have  only  to  say  the  word,  and 
the  estate  will  be  yours,  Tony. " 

u  Say  the  word,  Eudolph,  and  }~ou  shall  have  the 
same  income,"  entreated  Tony.  "  It  isn't  the  money 
I  so  much  care  for,  but  I  want  to  know  who  I  am. 


235 

I  want  to  be  restored  to  my  rightful  place  in  socie- 
ty.    Is  my  mother  living? " 
""No." 

"Nor  my  father?" 
'No." 

Tony  looked  sober. 

' '  Then  I  should  not  care  so  much  for  the  money. 
Still  it  ought  to  be  mine. 

' '  Of  course  it  ought, "  said  Rudolph,  gloating  over 
the  boy's  emotion. 

"You  shall  lose  nothing  by  telling  me — by  be- 
coming my  friend.  I  will  never  refer  to  the  past — 
never  speak  of  what  happened  in  America." 

"  No  doubt,"  sneered  Rudolph,  "but  it  can't  be." 

"Why  cant  it  be?  " 

"Because  I  hate  you!"  hissed  the  tramp,  with  a 
baleful  look.  "Not  another  word.  It's  no  use,  I 
shall  lock  you  up  here  for  the  present,  while  I  am 
out.  When  I  come  back  I  will  let  you  know  what 
I  am  going  to  do  to  }rou." 

He  left  the  room,  locking  the  door  behind  him. 

Tony  sat  down  to  reflect  upon  the  strange  posi- 
tion in  which  he  was  placed. 


236  TONY,    THE  HERO. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

MRS.    MIDDLETON  AND     HER    LOVER. 

When  Rudolph  left  Tony  imprisoned,  he  began 
to  think  over  the  situation  with  regard  to  his  own 
interest. 

He  was  already  dissatisfied  with  the  income  he 
received  from  Mrs.  Middleton;  though  at  the  time 
it  seemed  to  him  large,  he  found  that  he  could  easily 
spend  more.  He  did  not  have  expensive  lodgings — 
in  fact,  they  were  plain,  and  quite  within  his  means, 
but  he  drank  and  gambled,  and  both  these  amuse- 
ments were  expensive.  He  had  already  made  up 
his  mind  to  ask  for  a  larger  income,  and  Tony's 
offer  stimulated  him  to  ask  at  once. 

"  If  Mrs.  Middleton  won't,  the  boy  will,"  he  said 
to  himself. 

Mrs.  Middleton  was  in  London,  In  fact,  at  that 
moment  she  was  conversing  with  Captain  Lovell,  to 
whom  she  had  been  formally  betrothed.  He  had 
satisfied  himself  that  the  prospects  were  all  right, 
and  then  had  renewed  his  offer.  The  marriage  was 
to  take  place  in  a  month,  and  Mrs.  Middleton  was 
in  town  to  make  suitable  preparations  for  it.  She 
was  perfectly  happy,  for  she  was  about  to  marry  a 
man  she  loved. 

As  for  Captain  Lovell,  he  was  well  enough  con- 


MRS.    MIDDLETON  AND   HER  LOVER.  237 

tented.  He  did  not  care  much  for  the  lady  as  re- 
gards love,  but  he  was  decidedly  in  love  with  her 
property. 

"It  will  make  me  comfortable  for  life,"  he  said, 
with  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders,  "  and  after  marriage 
I  can  pay  as  little  attention  to  Mrs.  Lovell  as  I 
choose.  She  must  be  content  with  marrying  my 
name." 

The  widow  had  taken  handsome  apartments  at  a 
West  End  boarding  house.  There  she  received 
callers. 

Captain  Lovell  was  lounging  in  an  easy  chair, 
looking  rather  bored.  His  fiancee  was  inspecting 
an  array  of  dry  goods  which  had  been  sent  in  from 
a  fancy  London  shop. 

"Don't  you  think  this  silk  elegant,  Gregory!  "  she 
asked,  displaying  a  pattern. 

"  Oh,  ah,  yes,  I  suppose  so, '"he  answered  with  a 
yawn. 

"  I  would  like  to  have  your  taste,  Gregory." 

u  I  have  no  taste,  my  dear  Mrs.  Middleton,  about 
such  matters." 

"  Don't  you  think  it  will  become  me? " 

"  Why,  to  be  sure;  everything  becomes  you,  you 
know." 

She  laughed. 

' '  Would  a  yellow  turban  become  me? "  she  asked. 

"Well,  perhaps  not,"  he  said,  "but  of  course 
you  know  best." 

"  How  little  you  men  know  about  a  lady's  dress! " 


238  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"  I  should  think  so.  The  fact  is,  my  dear  Mrs. 
Middleton,that  part  of  my  education  was  neglected." 

"  When  I  am  your  wife,  Gregory,  I  shall  always 
appeal  to  your  taste. " 

' '  Will  you? "  he  said,  rather  frightened.  Ton  my 
honor,  I  hope  you  won't  now. " 

'  'And  I  shall  expect  you  to  consult  me  about  your 
wardrobe." 

"What,  about  my  trousers  and  coats?  Eeally, 
that's  very  amusing;  'pon  my  honor  it  is." 

"Don't  you  think  I  feel  an  interest  in  how  my 
dear  Gregory  is  dressed? " 

"  I  don't  know,  I'm  sure." 

"But  I  do,  and  shall  I  tell  you  why?" 

"If  you  want  to." 

"Because  I  love  you,"  she  said  softly,  and  she 
rose  from  her  chair,  and  crossing,  laid  her  hand 
affectionately  on  his  shoulder. 

He  shrank,  just  the  least  in  the  world,  and  felt 
annoyed,  but  didn't  like  to  say  so.  She  might  be 
angry,  and  though  he  did  not  love  her,  he  did  want 
to  marry  her,  and  so  escape  from  his  money  trou- 
bles." 

"Of  course,  I'm  ever  so  much  obliged  to  you," 
he  said,  "and  all  that  sort  of  thing." 

"And  you  love  me,  Gregory,  don't  you?"  she 
asked,  tenderly. 

"Did  You  ever!  I  wish  she'd  stop,"  he  said  to 
himself.     "  She  makes  me  awful  uncomfortable." 

" Don't  you  love  me,  Gregory?" 

"  If  I  didn't  love  you,  do  you  think  I  would  have 


MRS.    MIDDLETON  AND  HER  LOVER.  239 

asked  you  to  become  Mrs.  Lovell?  "  he  said,  evading 
the  question. 

"To  be  sure,  Gregory,"  she  replied,  trying  to  look 
satisfied. 

"And  now  I  must  go;  I  must,  'pon  my  honor," 
he  said,  rising. 

"You  have  been  here  so  short  a  time,"  she 
pleaded. 

"  But  I  promised  to  be  at  the  club.  I'm  to  meet 
a  fellow  officer,  and  it's  the  hour  now. 

"  Then  I  must  let  you  go.  But  you'll  come  again 
soon? " 

"Yes,  'pon  honor/'  and  the  captain  kissed  his 
hand  to  his  fiancee. 

"I  wonder  if  he  really  loves  me!"  she  said  to 
herself,  wistfully. 

At  this  moment  the  servant  entered. 

"  Please,  ma'am,  there's  a  rough-looking  man 
below,  who  says  he  wants  to  see  you.  His  name  is 
Rugg." 

"Admit  him,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton,  looking  an- 
noyed. 


240  TONY,   THE  HERO. 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

A     STORMY     INTERVIEW. 

"  Why  are  you  here  Mr.  Rugg  ? "  demanded  Mrs. 
Middleton,  coolly. 

"  On  business,"  said  the  tramp,  throwing  himself, 
uninvited  upon  the  same  chair  from  which  Captain 
Lovell  had  just  risen. 

Mrs.  Middleton  flushed  with  anger,  but  she  did 
not  dare  to  treat  his  insolence  as  it  deserved. 

"What  business  can  you  have  with  me? "she 
asked,  coldly. 

"It's  about  the  allowance." 

' k'  It  was  paid  punctually,  was  it  not  ? " 

"Yes." 

1 '  Then  you  can  have  no  business  with  me.  Have 
I  not  told  you  that  you  are  not  to  call  upon  me  at 
any  time  ?    My  agent  attends  to  that." 

"  I  want  the  allowance  raised,"  said  Rudolph,  ab- 
ruptly. 

"Raised?" 

"Yes,  you  must  double  it." 

Mrs.  Middleton  was  now  really  angry. 

"  I  never  heard  such  insolence,"  she  said.  "  You 
have  taken  your  trouble  for  nothing.  I  shall  not 
give  you  a  pound  more." 

"You'd  better,  Mrs.  Middleton,"  said  Rudolph, 
"  or  I  may  tell  all  I  know." 


A  STORMY  INTERVIEW.  241 

"You  would  only  ruin  yourself,  and  lose  your 
entire  income." 

"I  should  ruin  you,  too."' 

"  Not  at  all.  JNo  one  would  believe  you  against 
me.  Besides,  are  you  ready  to  be  tried  for  mur- 
der?" 

' '  Who  has  committed  murder  ? " 

"You  have." 

"Prove  it." 

"  Didn't  you  kill  the  boy  1 " 

"No." 

"  You  swore  to  me  he  was  dead." 

"  Suppose  he  didn't  die." 

"You  are  wasting  your  time,  Mr.  Rugg, "  said  Mrs. 
Middleton,  coldly.  "Of  course  I  understand  your 
motives.  You  have  been  extravagant,  and  wasted 
your  money,  hoping  to  get  more  out  of  me.  But  it 
is  useless." 

"You'll  be  sorry  for  this,  ma'am,"  said  Rugg,  an- 
grily. 

' c  I  don't  think  I  shall.  Before  doing  anything 
that  you  will  be  sorry  for,  consider  that  to  a  man 
in  your  position  the  income  I  give  you  is  very 
liberal." 

"  Liberal !    It  isn't  one-tenth  of  what  you  get." 

"Very  true,  but  the  case  is  different." 

"  You  may  believe  me  or  not,  but  the  boy  is  alive, 
and  I  know  where  he  is." 

Mrs.  Middleton  did  not  believe  one  word  of  what 
he  said.  She  was  convinced  that  Tony  had  been 
killed  by  the  man  before  her,  and  was  indignant  at 


242  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

the  trick  which  she  thought  he  was  trying  to  play 
upon  her.  She  felt  that  if  she  yielded  to  his  im- 
portunity, it  would  only  be  the  beginning  of  a  series 
of  demands.  She  had  courage  and  firmness,  and 
she  decided  to  discourage  him  once  for  all  in  his  ex- 
actions. 

"  I  dont  believe  you/'  she  said,  "  and  I  am  not 
afraid." 

"Then  you  won't  increase  my  income,"  he  said. 

"No,  I  will  not.  Neither  now  nor  at  any  other 
time  will  I  do  it.  What  I  have  agreed  to  do  I  will 
do,  but  I  will  not  give  you  a  penny  more.  Do  you 
understand  me,  Mr  Rugg  ? " 

"I  believe  I  do,"  said  Rudolph,  rising,  "and 
I  teU  you  you'll  be  sorry  for  what  you  are  say- 
ing." 

"I  will  take  the  risk,"  she  said,  contemptuously. 

Rudolph's  face  was  distorted  with  passion  as  lie 
left  the  room. 

"I  hate  her  more  than  the  boy,"  he  muttered. 
a4He  shall  have  the  estate.7' 


TONY'S  ESCAPE.  2±6 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

TONY'S   ESCAPE. 

When  Tony  found  himself  left  a  prisoner  in  his 
enemy's  room,  he  did  not  immediately  make  an 
effort  to  escape.  In  fact,  he  did  not  feel  particu- 
larly alarmed, 

"  I  am  in  a  large  city,  and  there  are  other  lodgers 
in  this  building.  There  can  be  no  danger.  1  will 
wait  awhile  and  think  over  what  Rudolph  has  told 
me.  Can  it  be  true  that  I  am  heir  to  a  large  estate 
in  England,  and  that  he  can  restore  me  to  it  if  he 
will?  He  can  have  no  motive  for  deceiving  me.  It 
must  be  true." 

Tony  felt  that  he  would  give  a  great  deal  to  know 
more.  Where  was  this  estate,  and  who  now  held 
it  ?  It  occurred  to  him  that  somewhere  about  the 
room  he  might  find  some  clew  to  the  mystery.  He 
immediately  began  to  explore  it. 

Rudolph  was  not  a  literary  man.  He  had  neither 
books  nor  papers  whose  tell-tale  testimony  might 
convict  him.  In  fact,  the  best  of  his  personal  pos- 
sessions was  very  small.  A  few  clothes  were  lying 
about  the  room.  Tony  decided  to  examine  the 
pockets  of  these,  in  the  hope  of  discovering  some- 
thing  in  his  interest.  Finally,  he  found  in  the 
pocket  of  a  shooting  coat  a   small  memorandum 


244 

book,  in  which  a  few  entries,  chiefly  of  bets,  had  been 
made.  In  these  Tony  felt  no  interest,  and  he  was 
about  to  throw  down  the  book,  when  his  eye  caught 
this  entry: 

"Dead  broke.  Must  write  to  Mrs.  Middleton  for 
more  money." 

Tony's  heart  beat  rapidly. 

This  must  be  the  person  from  whom  Eudolph  re- 
ceived his  income,  and,  by  consequence  the  person 
who  was  in  fraudulent  possession  of  the  estate  that 
was  rightfully  his. 

"Mrs.  Middleton!" 

"  I  wish  I  knew  where  she  lives,"  thought  our 
hero.  "No  doubt  there  are  hundreds  of  the  name 
in  England." 

This  might  be,  but  probably  there  was  but  one 
Mrs.  Middleton  in  the  possession  of  an  estate  worth 
two  thousand  pounds  rental. 

"I  am  on  the  track,"  thought  Tony.  "Now  let 
me  get  away,  and  consult  George  Spencer." 

It  was  easier  said  than  done.  The  door  was 
locked,  and  it  was  too  strong  to  break  down. 

"There  must  be  somebody  in  the  room  below," 
thought  Tony.     'Til  pound  till  they  hear  me." 

He  jumped  up  and  down  with  such  force  that  it 
did  attract  attention  in  the  room  below.  Presently 
he  heard  a  querulous  voice  at  the  key-hole: 

"  What's  the  matter?    Are  you  mad? " 

"  No,  but  I'm  locked  in,"  said  Tony.  "  Can't  you 
let  me  out? " 


245 

"I  have  no  key  to  the  door,  but  the  landlady 
has." 

"Won't  you  please  to  ask  her  to  let  me  out?  I'll 
be  ever  so  much  obliged. " 

"  Stop  pounding  then." 

"I  will." 

Scarcely  two  minutes  had  elapsed  when  a  key  was 
heard  in  the  lock  and  the  door  was  opened. 

"  How  came  you  here,  sir?  "  asked  the  landlady, 
a  short,  stout  woman — suspiciously. 

"  The  gentleman  locked  me  in — in  a  joke,"  said 
Tony. 

"Maybe you're  a  burglar,"  said  the  landlady,  eye- 
ing him  doubtfully. 

Tony  laughed. 

"  Do  I  look  like  it? "  he  asked. 

"  Well,  no,"  the  landlady  admitted,  "  but  appear- 
ances are  deceitful." 

"Not  with  me,  I  assure  you.  I  am  really  sorry 
to  put  you  to  so  much  trouble  to  let  me  out.  Won't 
you  accept  of  this? "  and  Tony  produced  a  half  sov- 
ereign. 

"Beally,  sir,  I  see  that  you  are  quite  the  gentle- 
man," said  the  landlady,  pocketing  the  piece  with 
avidity.     "  Can't  I  do  anything  for  you?  " 

"Only,  if  you'll  be  kind  enough  to  give  this  to 
the  gentleman  when  he  returns. " 

Tony  hastily  wrote  a  line  on  a  card,  and  gave  it 
to  the  now  complacent  dame. 

Fifteen  minutes  after  Tony's  departure  Eudolph 
returned. 


216 

He  sprang  up  stairs  only  to  find  the  room  empty 
and  the  bird  flown. 

"  What's  come  of  the  boy!  "  he  exclaimed  in  dis- 
may; "how  did  he  get  out?  " 

He  summoned  the  landlady  quickly. 

"  Do  you  know  anything  of  the  boy  that  was  in 
my  room,  Mrs.  Jones? " 

•'Yes,  Mr.  Eugg,  I  let  him  out.  He  said  you 
locked  him  in  in  fun. 

"  Humph!  what  else  did  he  say?  " 

"  He  left  this  card  for  you." 

Eugg  seized  it  hastily,  and  read  with  startled 
eyes: 

"  I  am  at  Mor]ey's.  Come  and  see  me  soon,  or  I 
will  go  to  Mrs.  Middleton. 

"Tony." 

"Confusion?  wmere  did  the  boy  find  out?  "  thought 
the  tramp.  "I  mast  do  something,  or  I  am 
ruined." 

It  was  a  mystery  to  him  how  Tony  had  learned 
so  much,  and  he  naturally  concluded  that  he  knew 
a  good  deal  more.  He  felt  that  no  time  was  to  be 
lost,  and  started  at  once  for  Morley's.  Inquiring 
for  Tony,  he  was  at  once  admitted  to  the  presence 
of  Tony  and  George  Spencer. 

"  So  you  got  my  card! "  said  Tony. 

"Yes.  What  do  you  know  about  Mrs.  Middle- 
ton?  "  demanded  Eudolph. 


Tony's  escape.  247 

" '  That  she  possesses  the  estate  that  ought  to  be 
**iine.     That's  about  it,  isu't  it?" 

"  Yes/'  said  Rudolph,  "but  you  can't  get  it  with- 
out me?" 

"  Why  not?" 

"I  was  the  man  that  was  hired  to  abduct  you 
when  you  was  a  boy." 

"  Can  you  prove  that?  "  asked  Spencer. 

"lean." 

"  Will  your  story  be  believed? " 

"Yes.  The  tenantry  will  remember  me.  I  was 
one  of  them  at  the  time." 

"  Are  you  ready  to  help  my  young  friend  here  to 
recover  his  rights?"  asked  Spencer. 

"  This  morning  I  said  no.  Now  I  say  yes,  if  he'll 
do  the  fair  thing  by  me." 

A  conference  was  entered  into  and  a  bargain  was 
finally  made.  Eudolph  was  to  receive  two  hundred 
pounds  a  year  as  a  reward  for  his  services,  if  suc- 
cessful. 

When  this  arrangement  had  been  completed,  an 
appointment  was  made  for  the  next  morning;  at 
which  hour  a  lawyer  of  repute  was  also  present. 
After  listening  attentively  to  Rudolph's  statement, 
he  said,  decisively: 

"  Your  young  friend  has  a  strong  case,  but  I  ad- 
vise you  to  see  Mrs.  Middleton  privately.  It  may 
not  be  necessary  to  bring  the  matter  into  court; 
and  this  would  be  preferable,  as  it  would  avoid 
scandal." 


24S  TONY,   THE  HERO. 

"  I  put  myself  in  your  hands,"  said  Tony, 
promptly. 

"  Mrs.  Harvey  Middleton  is  in  London,"  said  the 
lawyer.    "  I  "will  call  this  afternoon." 


all's  well  that  ends  well.  249 


CHAPTEE   XL. 
all's  well  that  exds  well. 

Mrs.  Harvey  Middleton  sat  in  her  boudoir,  trying 
to  read  a  novel.  But  it  failed  to  interest  her.  She 
felt  uneasy,  she  scarcely  knew  why.  The  evening 
previous  she  had  been  at  the  Haymarket  Theatre, 
and  had  been  struck  by  a  boy's  face.  Ten  feet  from 
her  sat  Tony,  with  his  friend,  George  Spencer.  He 
looked  wonderfully  like  his  father,  as  she  remem- 
bered him,  and  she  was  startled.  She  did  not  know 
Tony,  but  Eugg's  angry  warning  struck  her. 

"Was  he  right?  Can  this  be  the  boy  I  have  so 
much  reason  to  dread?"  she  asked  herself. 

She  was  thinking  of  this  when  the  servant  en- 
tered the  room  with  a  card. 

"C.  Barry,"  she  repeated,  "wishes  to  see  Mrs. 
Middleton  on  business  of  the  greatest  importance." 

"Ask  him  to  come  up,"  she  said,  uneasily. 

It  was  the  lawyer,  as  the  reader  may  have  sus- 
pected. 

"Mrs.  Middleton,"  he  said,  with  a  bow,  "I  must 
apologize  for  my  intrusion." 

"You  say  your  business  is  important,"  said  the 
lady. 

"It  is — of  the  first  importance." 

"Explain  yourself,  I  beg." 


250 

"I  appear  before  you,  madame,  in  behalf  of  your 
late  husband's  cousin,  Anthony  Middleton,  who  is 
the  heir  of  the  estate  which  you  hold  in  trust." 

It  was  out  now,  and  Mrs.  Middleton  was  at  bay. 

"There  is  no  such  person,"  she  said.  "  The  boy 
you  refer  to  is  dead." 

"What  proof  have  you  of  his  decease?" 

"I  have  the  sworn  statement  of  the  man  who 
saw  him  die." 

"And  this  man's  name?" 

"Is  Rudolph  Rugg." 

"I  thought  so.  Mr.  Rugg  swore  falsely.  He  is 
ready  to  contradict  his  former  statement." 

"He  has  been  tampered  with!"  exclaimed  Mrs. 
Middleton,  pale  with  passion. 

"That  maybe,"  said  the  lawyer;  but  he  added, 
significantly,   "  Not  by  us." 

"Tkeboyisan  impostor,"  said  Mrs.  Middleton, 
hotly.     "  I  will  not  surrender  the  estate." 

"  I  feel  for  your  disappointment,  madame;  but  I 
think  you  are  hasty." 

"Who  will  believe  the  statement  of  a  common 
tramp?" 

"  You  relied  upon  it  before,  madame.  But  we 
have  other  evidence/'  continued  the  lawyer. 

• '  What  other  evidence? " 

' '  The  striking  resemblance  of  my  young  friend 
to  the  family." 

"Was — was  he  at  the  Haymarket  Theatre  last 
evening? " 

4 '  He  was.     Did  you  see  him? " 


251 

"  I  saw  the  boy  I  suppose  you  mean.  He  had  a* 
slight  look  like  Mr.  Middleton." 

"He  is  his  image." 

"  Suppose — suppose  this  story  to  be  true,  what  do 
you  offer  me? "  asked  Mrs.  Middleton,  sullenly. 

"An  income  of  three  hundred  pounds  from  the 
estate,"  said  the  lawyer.  "  If  the  matter  comes  to 
court,  this  Kugg,  I  am  bound  to  tell  you,  has  an 
ugly  story  to  tell,  in  which  you  are  implicated." 

Mrs.  Middleton  knew  well  enough  what  it  meant. 
If  the  conspiracy  should  be  disclosed,  she  would  be 
ostracised  socially.     She  rapidly  made  up  her  mind. 

" Mr.  Barry,"  she  said,  "I  will  accept  your  terms, 
on  a  single  condition." 

"Name  it,  madame." 

"That  you  will  give  me  six  weeks' undisturbed 
possession  of  the  estate,  keeping  this  matter  secret 
meanwhile." 

"If  I  knew  your  motive,  I  might  consent." 

"I  will  tell  you  in  confidence.  Within  that  time 
I  am  to  be  married.  The  abrupt  disclosure  of  this 
matter  might  break  off  the  marriage." 

"May  I  ask  the  name  of  the  bridegroom? " 

"Captain  Gregory  Lovell." 

The  lawyer  smiled.  He  knew  of  Captain  Lovell, 
and  owed  him  a  grudge.  He  suspected  that  the 
captain  was  mercenary  in  his  wooing,  and  he 
thought  that  it  would  be  a  fitting  revenge  to  let 
matters  go  on." 

"I  consent,  upon  my  own  responsibility,"  he 
said. 


252  TONY,    THE  HERO. 

"Thank  you,"    said  Mrs.    Middleton,  with  real 

gratitude. 

She  would  not  lose  the  man  she  loved,  after  all. 
*  *****  * 

A  month  later  the  marriage  of  Captain  Gregory 
Lovell,  of  Her  Majesty's  service,  and  Mrs.  Harvey 
Middleton,  of  Middleton  Hall,  was  celebrated. 
There  was  a  long  paragraph  in  the  Morning  "  Post," 
and  Mrs.  Lovell  was  happy. 

When,  a  week  later,  at  Paris,  the  gallant  captain 
was  informed  of  the  trick  that  had  been  played 
upon  him,  there  was  a  terrible  scene.  He  cursed 
his  wife,  and  threatened  to  leave  her. 

' '  But,  Gregory,  I  have  three  hundred  pounds  in- 
come," she  pleaded.     "We  can  live  abroad." 

"And  I  have  sold  myself  for  that  paltry  sum!" 
he  said,  bitterly. 

But  he  concluded  to  make  the  best  of  a  bad  bar- 
gain. Between  them  they  had  an  income  of  five 
hundred  pounds,  and  on  this  they  made  shift 
abroad,  where  living  is  cheap.  But  the  marriage 
was  not  happy.  He  was  brutal  at  times,  and  his 
wife  realized  sadly  that  he  had  never  loved  her. 
But  she  has  all  the  happiness  she  deserves,  and  so 
has  he. 

Eudolph  drank  himself  to  death  in  six  months. 
So  the  income  which  he  was  to  receive  made  but  a 
slight  draft  upon  the  Middleton  estate. 

And  Tony! — no  longer  Tony  the  Tramp,  but  the 
Hon.  Anthony  Middleton.  of  Middleton  Hall — he  has 
just  completed  a  course  at  Oxford,  and  is  now  the 


all's  well  that  ends  well.  253 

possessor  of  an  education  which  will  help  fit  him 
for  the  responsibilities  he  is  to  assume.  His  frank, 
otf-hand  manner  makes  him  an  immense  favorite 
with  the  circle  to  which  he  now  belongs.  He  says 
little  of  his  early  history,  and  it  is  seldom  thought 
of  now.  He  has  made  a  promise  to  his  good  friend, 
George  Spencer,  to  visit  the  United  States,  and  will 
doubtless  do  so.  He  means  at  that  time  to  visit 
once  more  the  scenes  with  which  he  became  famil- 
iar when  he  was  A  Poor  Boy. 


WHITMARSH'S  REVENGE. 


Eoger  Blake  and  Belcher  Whitmarsh  were  both 
called  quite  good  boys,  but  for  different  reasons. 
As  their  friends  used  sometimes  to  put  it,  Belcher 
was  liked  because  of  his  temper,  and  Eoger  was  liked 
in  spite  of  his  temper. 

Eoger  was  quick  to  fly  into  a  passion,  and  as 
quick  to  get  over  it,  while  Belcher  was  almost 
always  good  natured,  but  when  once  really  offended 
remembered  the  offense  like  an  Indian. 

The  broad  play-green  in  front  of  the  country 
schoolhouse,  where  the  boys  spent  their  term  times 
together,  was  surrounded  by  trees  and  rocky  pas- 
ture lots.  A  pretty  brook  ran  through  it.  On  the 
sides  of  the  brook  and  in  the  rain-gulleys  there  were 
plenty  of  pebbles  and  small  stones. 

One  noon,  when  the  boys  had  begun  a  trial  of 
skill  in  firing  stones  at  a  mark,  an  unlucky  turn  was 
given  to  this  small  "artillery  practice"  by  the 
thoughtless  challenge  of  one  of  the  youngsters  to  a 
playmate : 

"  I  stump  you  to  hit  meP 

The  stones  soon  began  to  fly  promiscuously,  and 


255 


the  play  grew  more  lively  than  safe.  The  boys 
became  excited  and  ran  in  all  directions,  exclaiming 
"  Hit  me,  hit  me  /"  The  missiles  were  dodged  with 
exultant  laughter,  and  the  shots  returned  with 
interest. 

As  must  be  supposed,  some  of  the  players  were 
really  hit,  and  sore  heads,  and  backs,  and  limbs 
made  the  sham  skirmish  before  long  a  good  deal 
like  a  real  battle. 

Belcher  Whitmarsh  was  about  the  only  really 
cool  fellow  on  the  ground. 

"  Come,  fellows,"  he  remonstrated,  "  this  is  get- 
ting dangerous.  What's  the  good  of  throwing 
stones  when  you're  mad  ?     It's  poor  play,  any  way." 

u  Ho,  you're  afraid,"  shouted  Koger  Blake,  and  in 
this  he  was  joined  by  several  others. 

Roger  had  received  one  rather  hard  thump,  and 
feeling  quite  fiery  about  it  determined  to  be  "  even 
with  somebody."  He  kept  on  hurling  right  and 
left  reckless  of  consequences. 

Belcher  paid  no  attention  to  the  derision  with 
which  his  words  were  treated.  He  was  preparing, 
with  one  or  two  companions,  to  leave  the  play- 
ground when  he  saw  Roger  near  him  with  a  heavy 
stone  in  his  hand  drawing  back  for  a  furious  throw. 

Partly  in  sport  and  partly  out  of  regard  for  the 
lad  aimed  at,  he  stepped  behind  the  excited  boy  and 
caught  his  arm. 

Roger  whirled  about  instantly  in  a  great  heat.  As 
Belcher  stepped  quickly  backward,  laughing,  he  let 
fly  the  stone  at  him  with  all  his  force,  crying : 


256  TOKY,    THE   HERO. 

"  Take  it  yourself,  then !" 

The  stone  struck  Belcher  full  in  the  face,  break- 
ing two  of  his  front  teeth  and  knocking  him  down. 

Seeing  what  he  had  done,  Blake  sobered  in  an 
instant  and  ran  to  the  aid  of  his  fallen  schoolfellow. 

"  I  didn't  mean  to,  Belcher,"  said  Eoger,  bending 
over  him  remorsefully,  and  evidentally  afraid  he 
had  killed  him. 

The  boys  began  to  express  their  indignation  quite 
loudly,  but  Blake  made  no  attempt  to  defend  him- 
self, only  hanging  over  the  injured  lad,  and  declaring 
how  sorry  he  was. 

"  Come,"  pleaded  he,  "  try  to  get  up,  and  let  me 
help  you  down  to  the  schoolhouse — I'll  pay  the 
doctor  anything  in  the  world  to  make  you  well 
again." 

But  Whitmarsh,  as  soon  as  he  recovered  a  little, 
showed  that  he  resented  his  sympathy  as  bitterly 
as  he  did  his  blow. 

Pushing  away  his  hand  spitefully,  he  staggered  to 
his  feet  with  the  help  of  another  boy,  and  holding 
his  handkerchief  to  his  bloody  face  moved  off  the 
green,  sobbing  with  pain  and  revengeful  rage. 

By  the  time  school  commenced  he  had  been 
assisted  to  wash  and  bind  up  his  bleeding  mouth, 
when  he  started  for  home,  giving  Roger  a  look 
which  was  very  seldom  seen  on  his  face,  but  which 
meant  plainly  enough : 

"  I'll  have  the  worth  of  this  out  of  your  skin 
some  day,  see  if  I  don't !" 

That  afternoon  the  boys  received  a  sound  lecture 


whitmabsh's  revenge.  257 

from  the  teacher  on  the  evil  of  throwing  stones,  and 
a  penalty  was  imposed  upon  the  leaders  in  the  reck- 
less sport,  Roger  among  them,  who,  however,  in  con- 
sideration of  his  penitence,  was  only  charged  with  a 
message  to  his  parents,  making  full  confession  and 
submitting  his  case  entirely  to  their  judgment. 

Days  passed,  and  everything  went  on  much  as 
before  at  the  school,  save  that  Belcher  Whitmarsh 
was  missed,  being  at  home  healing  his  wound. 

Every  day  that  his  absence  was  noticed  was  to 
Roger's  quick  feelings  like  a  new  condemnation. 

No  one  was  more  pleased,  then,  than  Roger  Blake 
to  see  Belcher,  after  a  little  more  than  a  week  had 
passed,  back  at  his  place  in  school. 

He  soon  found,  however,  that  bj^gones  were  not 
to  be  bygones  between  them. 

Belcher  not  only  refused  to  respond  to  his  hearty 
congratulations,  but  showed  by  his  manner  and 
words  (hissed  through  his  broken  teeth)  that  so  far 
from  forgiving  Roger's  offense  he  meant  to  lay  it  up 
against  him. 

Several  times  when  thrown  in  close  company  with 
him  Blake  tried  to  disarm  his  dislike, 

"Come,"  he  would  say,  "now,  Belch,  shake  hands 
and  say  quits." 

But  Whitmarsh  would  only  answer  with  a  surly 
half  threat,  or  grin  significantly,  to  expose  the 
notch  in  his  gums  where  the  teeth  were  gone. 

The  boys  saw  this  unreasonable  dislike,  and 
gradually  transferred  their  sympathy  to  Roger. 

At  last  the  school  closed,  and  though  Belcher  was 


258  TOlffY,    THE    HERO. 

not  cordial  the  whole  affair  between  the  two  lads 
seemed  likely  to  be  soon  forgotten. 

One  day  during  vacation,  as  Roger  was  picking 
whortleberries  with  two  other  boys  in  a  lonely  pas- 
ture, he  was  unexpectedly  joined  by  Belcher,  who 
had  come  thither  on  the  same  errand. 

It  was  not  noticed  that  they  greeted  each  other 
very  differently  from  the  usual  manner  of  boys,  and 
during  the  whole  time  they  were  together  Belcher 
behaved  himself  in  a  way  that  made  neither  Blake 
nor  his  companions  feel  any  the  less  at  ease  for  his 
company.  Least  of  all  had  they  any  reason  to 
suspect  that  he  still  harbored  his  old  revenge. 

A  ruined  house,  many  years  deserted,  stood  in 
sight  of  the  spot  where  the  boys  were  picking,  and 
growing  tired  of  their  work  they  agreed  to  go  and 
examine  the  old  building,  and  perhaps  take  a  game 
of  "  hi  spy  "  there. 

As  they  went  over  the  house  they  found  a  trap- 
door opening  into  a  small  vault,  which  had  evidently 
once  been  used  for  the  family  cellar — for  the 
ancient  dwelling  was  rather  cramped  in  size  and 
accommodations — and,  boy-like,  they  all  went  down 
into  the  moldy  hole. 

As  the  last  boy  was  descending  the  rotten  ladder 
tumbled  to  pieces  under  his  weight,  and  the 
adventurous  youngsters  found  themselves  caught 
like  the  fox  and  goat  in  the  well. 

Philip  Granger,  however,  being  a  lad  of  quick 
resources,  soon  hit  upon  the  fox's  plan  of  getting 
out,  which  was  that  each  should  climb  the  shoulders 


whitmaksh's  revenge.  259 

of  a  comrade,  and  when  all  but  one  were  safely 
above  ground  these  should  join  in  pulling  out  the 
last. 

The  plan  was  varied  a  little  in  practice,  as  it  was 
awkward  business  to  decide  who  of  them  should  be 
the  ''goat.'' 

Phil  got  up  first,  climbing  over  Frank  Staples, 
and  then  aided  his  helper  out. 

Belcher,  who  had  made  a  ladder  of  Roger  Blake, 
was  performing  the  pulling  of  his  generous  com- 
panion toward  the  opening,  when  a  sudden  yell  was 
heard  outside,  and  crying  out  "  There  come  Dirk 
Avery  and  Ben  Trench !"  Frank  and  Phil  darted 
away,  running  as  if  for  their  lives. 

Seized  with  their  panic,  Belcher  instantly  dropped 
Roger,  and  regardless  of  his  terrified  calls  rushed 
from  the  hut  in  a  twinkling. 

The  jar  of  the  hurried  departure  of  the  boys  over 
the  rickety  floor  brought  down  the  trap-door  with 
a  bang,  and  Roger  was  left  a  prisoner  indeed. 

Dirk  Avery  and  Ben  Trench  were  two  bad  char- 
acters who  lived  a  sore  of  half- vagabond  life,  rarely 
doino-  any  honest  work,  and  whose  savage  looks  and 
cruel  natures  made  them  the  terror  of  all  the  chil- 
dren of  the  neighborhood. 

Their  appearance  in  any  place  was  the  signal  for 
a  general  stampede  of  the  young  people  who 
happened  to  be  about,  There  was  not  one  in  our 
little  whortleberry  party  who  was  not  as  much 
afraid  of  them  as  if  they  had  actually  worn  horns 
and  hoofs. 


260  TONY,    THE    HERO. 

On  this  occasion  they  were  out  on  a  fishing  tramp, 
and  the  contents  of  a  bottle  of  cheap  rum  that  each 
of  them  carried  had  made  them  more  wicked  than 
usual. 

Accordingly,  they  were  in  just  the  mood  to  take 
all  possible  advantage  of  the  fright  they  had  caused, 
and  when  the  boys  fled  so  precipitately  from  the 
ruined  house  they  pursued  them  with  horrible 
threats  and  shouts  of  hoarse  laughter. 

Frank  and  Phil  ran  toward  the  lot  where  they 
had  hidden  their  baskets,  the  loud  voice  of  Dirk 
crying,  "  Skin  the  rascals  !     Wring  their  necks !" 

Dirk,  however,  soon  overdid  himself,  for  the  two 
bo}7s  were  fleet  of  foot,  and  saved  their  breath. 
They  finally  got  away,  with  their  berries. 

Belcher  struck  a  bee-line  for  home,  forgetting  his 
basket,  and  though  Ben  gave  him  a  hot  chase  he 
succeeded  in  distancing  him. 

Poor  Roger !  For  some  minutes  after  he  found 
himself  shut  fast  in  the  vault  his  mortal  fear  of 
being  found  by  the  two  roughs  left  him  no  courage 
to  cry  out,  and  gave  him  no  time  to  think  whether 
he  ought  to  blame  Belcher  or  not. 

Judging  his  act>  by  his  own  feelings  then,  he  could 
not  say  but  he  should  have  done  the  same. 

But  the  immediate  fright  soon  passed,  and  he 
began  to  feel  the  real  misery  of  his  situation. 

Nobody  but  Whitmarsh  knew  where  he  was. 
What  if  he  should  leave  him  there,  for  the  old 
grudge?  And  then  it  came  to  him  how  singular  it 
was  that  the  one  on  whom  he  depended  to  help  him 


whitmarsh's  revenge.  261 

out  should  be  just  he — the  boy  who  had  threatened 
him. 

"Wearily  enough  passed  the  time  to  Roger  down 
there  in  the  dismal  hole. 

Neither  shout  nor  scream  would  help  him.  ]S"o 
one  lived  within  half  a  mile  of  the  house ;  or  if  his 
cries  should  chance  to  be  heard  it  might  be  Avery 
and  Trench,  and  they  would  certainly  bring  him 
more  hurt  than  good. 

Suddenly  he  heard  footsteps.  A  hand  seized  the 
trap-door  and  lifted  it.  Belcher  Whitmarsh's  face 
looked  into  the  vault. 

"  Hollo,"  said  Eoger  joyfully,  "  I  thought  you'd 
be  back  before  long,  Now  let's  get  out  of  this — I've 
had  enough  of  it,  I'm  sure." 

But  Belcher  only  grinned,  showing  the  vacancy  in 
his  front  teeth,  and  replied  coolly : 

"  Want  me  to  help  you  out  ?" 

"Of  course.  Don't  be  fooling  now,"  pleaded 
Roger. 

"Well,"  said  Belcher,  "I've  thought  it  over,  and 
seeing  you're  in  there  so  nicely  I've  concluded  I 
wont.  I've  an  old  score  against  you.  Perhaps 
you'd  like  to  pay  it  now." 

With  that  he  dropped  the  trap-door,  and  made 
off. 

He  had  come  after  his  basket  of  berries.  Would 
he  be  heartless  enough  to  go  home  now  and  leave 
his  schoolmate  in  that  damp  hole,  pestilent  with 
mildew  and  haunted,  perhaps,  by  sliding  adders  and 
loathsome  creatures  ? 


262  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

Meantime  the  parents  of  Boger,  when  the  hour 
passed  at  which  he  was  expected  home,  began  to 
make  inquiries  for  him.  Frank  Staples  and  Philip 
Granger,  who  both  supposed  he  had  climbed  out  of 
the  vault  and  ran  away  with  Belcher  from  the  hut, 
were  much  surprised  when  asked  where  he  was,  and 
told  that  he  had  not  returned. 

Their  story  of  the  encounter  with  Dirk  Avery 
and  Ben  Trench  made  the  parents  still  more 
anxious. 

Possibly  their  boy  had  come  to  some  harm  at  the 
hands  of  those  drunken  ruffians.  Would  Philip 
mind  going  over  to  the  pasture  again  and  showing 
just  where  it  all  happened  ? 

Philip  gladly  consented,  and  getting  leave  from 
home  accompanied  Mr.  Blake  to  the  lot  where  they 
had  gathered  their  berries. 

Koger's  basket  was  found  untouched,  precisely 
where  he  had  been  seen  to  hide  it.  Mr.  Blake 
looked  pale  and  Phil  began  to  feel  frightened. 

"Let's  go  down  to  Mr.  Whitmarsh's,"  said  Mr. 
Blake,  "  and  see  Belcher." 

It  was  now  about  sundown,  but  as  the  old  house 
lay  not  far  out  of  the  way  it  was  decided  to  visit  it. 

No  sooner  had  they  reached  it  and  looked  in  than 
Phil  exclaimed,  "  The  trap-door  is  shut.  I'm  sure 
•'twas  open  when  we  left  it." 

In  a  moment  more  they  had  uncovered  the  vault 
and  found  poor  Roger. 

Overjoyed,  they  helped  him  out,  a  good  deal  the 
worse  for  the  hunger  and  fear  he  had  undergone. 


whitmabsh's  reyekge.  263 

The  story  of  Belcher's  mean  revenge  was  soon 
noised  abroad.  He  excused  himself  by  saying  he 
meant  to  leave  Roger  only  a  little  while  for  a  joke, 
but  his  father  made  him  go  to  Mr.  Blake's  and 
apologize  for  his  wanton  trick. 

^Ye  must  do  Belcher  the  justice  to  say  that  he 
performed  the  duty  promptly  and  with  apparent 
frankness  and  sincerity.  There  is  no  doubt,  how- 
ever, that  he  meant  harm — not  such  serious  harm  as 
might  have  occurred — but  sufficient  injury  to  his 
playfellow  to  satisfy  his  malignant  feelings  and  glut 
his  revenge.  The  spirit  he  exhibited  was  the  same 
in  kind,  although  not  in  degree,  as  that  which  makes 
a  man  a  murderer. 

A  true  man  never  allows  anger  to  get  the  per- 
manent control  of  his  feelings.  He  knows  its  mean 
and  dangerous  tendencies,  and  remembers  the 
words  of  Him  who  spake  as  never  man  spake:  "If 
ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses,  neither  will 
your  Father  forgive  your  trespasses." 


THE  BOY  IN  THE  BUSH. 


"  The  impudent  scoundrel !  Just  look  at  this, 
mamma.  I  should  like  to  see  him  at  it,"  exclaimed 
Sydney  Lawson  in  great  wrath,  as  he  handed  his 
mother  a  very  dirty  note  which  a  shepherd  had 
brought  home.  On  coarse,  crumpled  grocer's  paper 
these  words  were  written  in  pencil : 

"  Master  sidney  i  Want  your  Mare  the  chesnit  with 
the  white  starr,  soe  You  Send  her  to  3  Mile  flat 
first  thing  Tomorrer  Or  i  Shall  Have  to  cum  an 
Fetch  Her.  Warrigal." 

"  Sam  says,"  Sydney  went  on  to  say,  "  that  the 
fellow  was  coward  enough  to  give  it  him  just  down 
by  the  slip-panels.  He  wouldn't  have  dared  to  talk 
about  sticking  us  up  if  he  hadn't  known  father 
was  away.  Send  him  my  mare  Yenus  !  I  seem  to 
see  myself  doing  it !" 

Sidney  Lawson,  who  made  this  indignant  speech, 
was  a  tall,  slim  lad  of  fourteen.  He  and  his  mother 
had  been  left  in  charge  of  the  station  while  his 
father  took  some  cattle  to  Port  Philip. 

Sydney  was  very  proud  of  his  charge ;  he  thought 


THE  BOY  IK  THE  BUSH.  265 

himself  a  man  now,  and  was  very  angry  that 
Warrigal,  a  well-known  desperado,  should  think  he 
could  be  frightened  "  like  a  baby." 

Warrigal  was  a  bushranger  who  with  one  or  two 
companions  wandered  about  in  that  part  of  Xew 
South  Wales,  doing  pretty  much  as  he  liked.  They 
stopped  the  mail,  and  robbed  draymen  and  horse- 
men on  the  road  hy  the  two  and  three  dozen 
together.     The  police  couldn't  get  hold  of  them. 

The  note  that  Sydne\r  had  received  caused  a 
great  deal  of  excitement  in  the  little  station. 

Miss  Smith,  who  helped  Mrs.  Lawson  in  the  house, 
and  taught  Sydney's  sisters  and  his  brother  Harry, 
was  in  a  great  fright. 

"  Oh !  pray  send  him  the  horse,  Master  Sydney," 
she  cried,  "or  we  shall  all  be  murdered.  You've 
got  so  many  horses  one  can't  make  any  difference." 

Mrs.  Lawson  was  as  little  disposed  as  Sydney  to 
let  Mr.  Warrigal  do  as  he  liked.  She  knew  that 
her  husband  would  have  run  the  risk  of  being 
"  nabbed,"  if  he  had  been  at  home,  rather  than  have 
obeyed  the  bushranger's  orders ;  and  that  he  would 
be  very  pleased  if  they  could  manage  to  defy  the 
rascal. 

Still  it  was  a  serious  matter  to  provoke  Messrs. 
"Warrigal  &  Co.  to  pay  the  house  a  visit.  She  felt 
sure  that  Sydney  would  fight  and  she  meant  to  fire 
at  the  robbers  herself  if  they  came  ;  but  would  she 
and  Sydney  be  able  to  stand  against  three  armed 
men? 

Xot  a   shepherd,  or  stockman,   or  horse-breaker 


266  T0XY,    THE   HERO. 

about  the  place  was  to  be  depended  on ;  and  Ki  Li, 
the  Chinaman  cook,  though  a  very  good  kind  of 
fellow,  would  certainly  go  to  bed  in  his  hut  if  the 
robbers  came  by  day,  and  stay  in  bed  if  the  robbers 
came  by  night.  John  Jones,  the  plowman,  whose 
wife  was  Mrs.  Lawson's  servant,  slept  in  the  house, 
and  he  was  too  honest  to  band  with  the  bushrangers 
in  any  way  ;  "  but  then,  he's  such  a  sheep,  you  know, 
mamma,"  said  Sydney. 

There  was  time  to  send  word  to  the  police  in 
Jerry's  Town  ;  but  who  was  to  go  ? 

Ki  Li  would  be  afraid  to  go  out  in  the  dark,  and 
John  Jones  would  be  afraid  to  ride  anything  but 
one  of  the  plow  horses,  and  that  only  at  an 
amble,  It  wouldn't  do  for  Sydney  to  leave  the 
place,  since  he  was  the  only  male  on  it  who  was  to 
be  depended  upon,  so  what  was  to  be  done? 

Little  Harry  had  heard  his  mother  and  brother 
talking ;  and  as  soon  as  he  made  out  their  difficulty 
he  looked  up  and  said : 

"  Why,  mamma,  /  can  go.  Syd,  lend  me  your 
stock-whip  and  let  me  have  Guardsman." 

Xeither  mother  nor  brother  had  any  fear  about 
Harry's  horsemanship,  but  they  scarcely  liked  to 
turn  the  little  fellow  out  for  a  long  ride  by  night. 

However,  he  knew  the  way  well  enough,  and  if 
he  did  not  fall  in  with  any  of  the  TTarrigal  gang 
nobody  would  harm  him. 

So  Sydney  put  the  saddle  and  bridle  on  Guards- 
man and  brought  him  round  to  the  garden-gate, 
where  Harry  stood  nicking  about  Sydney's  stock- 


THE  BOY  IX   THE   BUSH.  267 

whip  very  impatiently,  while  his  mamma  kissed  him 
and  tied  a  comforter  round  his  neck. 

Harry  shouted  "  Good-night,"  gave  Guardsman 
his  head,  and  was  off  like  a  wild  boy. 

Sydney  stabled  Yenus,  his  favorite  mare,  and — an 
unusual  precaution — turned  the  key  in  the  rusty 
padlock ;  and  when  he  had  given  a  look  about  the 
outbuildings  it  was  time  for  him  to  go  in  to  supper 
and  family  prayers. 

He  read  the  chapter  and  Mrs.  Lawson  read  the 
pra}Ters.  She  was  a  brave  woman,  but  with  her 
little  girls  about  her  and  her  little  boy  away  she 
couldn't  keep  her  voice  from  trembling  a  little  when 
she  said,  "  Lighten  our  darkness,  we  beseech  thee, 
O  Lord ;  and  by  Thy  great  mercy  defend  us  from 
all  perils  and  dangers  of  this  night." 

Sydney  went  into  his  mothers  bedroom  and 
looked  at  the  blunderbuss  that  stood  by  the  bed- 
head (Mrs.  Lawson  had  selected  the  blunderbuss  as 
her  weapon,  because  she  thought  she  "  must  be  sure 
to  hit  with  that  big  thing")  and  he  showed  her  once 
more  how  to  pull  the  trigger. 

Then  he  bade  her  "  good-night,"  and  went  along 
the  veranda  to  his  own  little  room  at  one  end, 
where  he  locked  himself  in,  and  drew  the  charge  of 
his  rifle  and  loaded  it  again,  and  looked  at  the 
chambers  of  his  revolver,  and  put  the  caps  on,  and 
laid  it  down  on  a  chair,  ready  to  his  hand. 

When  his  preparations  were  completed  he  said 
his  prayers  and  tumbled  into  bed  with  his  clothes 
on. 


268  TOi^T,    THE   HEKO. 

Harry  wasn't  expected  home  until  the  next  day. 
He  had  been  told  to  sleep  at  the  tavern  in  Jerry's 
Town,  when  he  had  left  his  message  at  the  barracks, 
and  come  home  at  his  leisure  in  the  morning. 

About  four  miles  from  Wonga-Wonga,  the  drear- 
iest part  of  the  road  to  Jerry's  Town,  begins  a  two- 
mile  stretch  of  dismal  scrub.  Harry  put  his  heels 
into  Guardsman's  sides  to  make  him  go  even  faster 
than  he  was  going  when  they  got  into  the  scrub, 
and  was  pleased  to  hear  a  horse's  hoofs  coming 
toward  him  from  the  other  end. 

He  thought  it  was  a  neighbor  riding  home  to  the 
next  station ;  but  it  was  Warrigal.  As  soon  as 
Harry  pulled  up  Guardsman  to  chat  a  minute, 
Warrigal  laid  hold  of  the  bridle  and  pulled  Harry 
on  to  the  saddle  before  him. 

"  Let's  see,  you're  one  of  the  Wonga-Wonga"  (that 
was  the  name  of  his  father's  station)  "  kids,  ain't 
you  ?"  said  the  robber.  "  And  where  are  you  off  to 
this  time  of  night  ?  Oh,  oh,  to  fetch  the  traps,  I 
guess  ;  but  I'll  put  a  stop  to  that  little  game." 

Just  then  Harry  gave  a  eoo-ey.  He  couldn't  give 
a  very  loud  one,  for  he  was  lying  on  a  sack  on  the 
robbers  horse  ;  but  it  made  Warrigal  very  savage. 

He  put  the  the  cold  muzzle  of  a  pistol  against 
Harry's  face  and  said,  "  You  screech  again,  young- 
ster, and  }Tou  won't  do  it  no  more." 

And  then  Warrigal  took  Harry  and  the  horses 
into  the  scrub,  and  gagged  Harry  with  a  bit  of  iron 
he  took  out  of  his  pocket,  and  tied  him  up  to  a 
crooked  old  honeysuckle-tree  with  a  long  piece  of 
rope  he  carried  in  his  saddle-bags. 


THE   BOY   IK  THE   BUSH.  2G9 

"  Don't  frighten  yourself,  I'll  tell  yer  mar  where 
you  are,  and  you'll  be  back  by  breakfast,"  said 
Warrigal,  as  he  got  on  Guardsman  and  rode  off, 
driving  his  own  tired  horse  before  him. 

Next  morning,  just  as  the  day  was  breaking, 
Warrigal  and  his  two  mates,  with  crape  masks  on, 
rode  up  to  Wonga-Wonga. 

They  made  as  little  noise  as  they  could;  but  the 
dogs  began  to  bark  and  woke  Sydney. 

When  he  woke,  however,  Warrigal  had  got  his 
little  window  open,  and  was  covering  him  with  a 
pistol. 

Sydney  put  out  his  hand  for  his  revolver,  and 
though  Warrigal  shouted,  "  Throw  up  your  hands, 
boy,  or  I'll  shoot  you  through  the  head ,"  he  jumped 
out  of  bed  and  fired. 

He  missed  Warrigal,  and  Warrigal  missed  him  ;  but 
Warrigal's  bullet  knocked  Sydney's  revolver  out  of 
his  hand,  and  one  of  Warrigal's  mates  made  a  butt 
against  the  bedroom  door  and  smashed  it ;  and  he  and 
Warrigal  rushed  into  the  room,  and  threw  Sydney 
down  on  the  bed,  and  pinioned  his  arms  with  a  sheet. 

The  other  bushranger  was  watching  the  horses. 

By  this  time  the  whole  station  was  aroused.  The 
men  peeped  out  of  their  huts,  half  frightened,  half 
amused ;  not  one  of  them  came  near  the  house. 
John  Jones  and  his  wife  piled  their  boxes  against 
their  room  door,  and  then  crept  under  the  bed. 

Miss  Smith  went  into  h}rsterics ;  and  Gertrude  and 
her  sisters  couldn't  help  looking  as  white  as  their 
night-dresses. 


270 

Mrs.  Lawson  had  fired  off  her  blunderbuss,  but  it 
had  only  broken  two  panes  of  the  parlor  window, 
and  riddled  the  veranda  posts ;  so  Wonga-Wonga 
was  at  the  bushrangers'  mercy. 

They  ransacked  the  house,  and  took  possession  of 
any  little  plate,  and  jewelry,  and  other  portable 
property  they  could  find.  When  the  robbers  had 
packed  up  what  they  called  the  "  swag,"  and  put  it 
on  one  of  their  horses,  they  pulled  Ki  Li  out  of  bed, 
and  made  him  light  a  fire,  and  cook  some  chops  and 
boil  some  tea. 

Then  they  marched  Mrs.  Lawson,  and  Miss  Smith, 
and  Sydney,  and  his  sisters,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones, 
and  Ki  Li,  into  the  keeping-room,  and  sat  down  to 
breakfast,  with  pistols  in  their  belts,  and  pistols 
laid,  like  knives  and  forks,  on  the  table. 

The  bushrangers  tried  to  be  funny,  and  pressed 
Mrs.  Lawson  and  the  other  ladies  to  make  them- 
selves at  home,  and  take  a  good  meal.  One  of  the 
robbers  was  going  to  kiss  Miss  Smith  ;  but  Sydney, 
pinioned  as  he  was,  ran  at  him,  and  butted  him  like 
a  ram. 

He  was  going  to  strike  Sydney  ;  but  Gertrude  ran 
between  them,  calling  out,  "  Oh,  you  great  coward !" 
and  Warrigal  felt  ashamed,  and  told  the  man  to  sit 
down. 

"We  call  him  PolitefulBill,"  Warrigal  remarked, 
in  apology ;  "  but  he  ain't  much  used  to  ladies' 
serciety." 

When  breakfast  was  over,  Warrigal  asked  Sydney 
where  the  mare  was. 


THE   BOY   IN   THE   BUSH.  271 

"Find  her  yourself,"  said  Sydney.     . 

"  Well,  there  won't  be  much  trouble  about  that," 
answered  Warrigal.  "  She's  in  the  stable,  I  know  ; 
and  you've  locked  her  in,  for  1  tried  the  door.  I 
suppose  you  are  too  game  to  give  up  the  key,  my 
young  fighting-cock  ?  But  since  you're  so  sarey, 
Master  Sydney,  you  shall  see  me  take  your  mare. 
You  might  as  well  ha'  sent  her  instead  of  sending 
for  the  police,  and  then  I  shouldn't  ha'  got  the  bay 
horse  too;"  and  he  pointed  to  Guardsman,  hung  up 
on  the  veranda. 

There  was  no  time  to  ask  what  had  become  of 
Harry. 

Warrigal  hurried  Sydney  by  the  collar  to  the 
stable,  while  the  other  men  mounted  their  horses, 
and  unhooked  Guardsman,  to  be  ready  for  their 
captain. 

Warrigal  blew  off  the  padlock  with  his  pistol ; 
but  Venus  was  fractious,  and  wouldn't  let  him  put 
on  her  halter.  While  he  was  dodging  about  the 
stable  with  her,  Sydney  heard  hoofs  in  the  distance. 
Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  tan-ta-ta-ta n-ta-ta-ta n- 
ta-ta. 

Four  bluecoats  galloped  up  to  the  slip-panels, 
three  troopers  and  a  sergeant ;  the  sergeant  with 
Harry  on  his  saddlebow. 

In  a  second  Harry  was  down,  and  in  three  seconds 
the  slip-panels  were  down  too. 

The  waiting  bushrangers  saw  the  morning  sun 
gleaming  on  their  carbines,  as  the   police  clashed 


272  TOXT,    THE   HERO. 

between  the  aloes  and  the  prickly  pears,  and  letting 
Guardsman  go,  were  off  like  a  shot. 

Sydney  banged  to  the  stable  door ;  and,  setting 
his  back  against  it,  shouted  for  help.  His  mother, 
Gertrude,  and  even  John  Jones,  as  the  police  were 
close  at  hand,  ran  to  his  aid ;  and  up  galloped  the 
troopers. 

Warrigal  fired  a  bullet  or  two  through  the  door, 
and  talked  very  big  about  not  being  taken  alive ; 
but  he  thought  better  of  it,  and  in  an  hour's  time 
he  was  jogging  off  to  Jerry's  Town  with  handcuffs 
on,  and  his  legs  tied  under  his  horse's  belly. 

If  Warrigal  had  not  taken  up  little  Harry,  most 
likely  he  would  not  have  been  caught ;  for  when 
Harry  had  got  to  Jerry's  Town,  he  would  have 
found  all  the  troopers  away  except  one.  In  the 
scrub,  however,  Harry  heard  the  sergeant  and  his 
men  returning  from  a  wild-goose  chase  they  had 
been  sent  on  by  the  bush  telegraphs  ;  and  managing 
at  last  to  spit  the  gag  out  of  his  mouth,  he  had  given 
a  great  co-oo-oo-oo-oo-ey. 

After  that  night  Miss  Smith  always  called  Sydney 
Mr.  Sydney ;  and  Sydney  let  Harry  ride  Yenus  as 
often  as  he  liked. 


THE  MIDNIGHT  RIDE. 


It  was  half-a-dozen  years  before  the  war  that 
Godfrey  Brooks  made  a  visit  to  his  Cousin  Sydney 
in  Virginia.  It  was  his  first  glimpse  of  plantation 
life,  and  he  was  not  sparing  of  his  questions  or  com- 
ments. Boys  in  a  strange  place  find  it  hard  to  carry 
about  with  them  the  politeness  or  reticence  which 
are  such  easy  fitting  garments  at  home. 

The  two  boys  were  standing  on  the  piazza  one 
sunny  morning  looking  down  to  the  distant  swamp. 

"You  mean  to  tell  me,"  said  Godfrey  hotly, 
"that  gentlemen  hunted  their  runaway  slaves  out 
of  the  swamp  with  bloodhounds  ?     Bloodhounds  ?" 

"]STo,  I  don't.  Gentlemen,  of  course,  do  no  such 
dirty  work.  In  the  first  place,  our  people  (we  don't 
call  them  slaves)  never  run  away.  Why,  bless  you, 
old  Uncle  Peter  there,  was  a  boy  with  my  grand- 
father, and  I'm  sure  I  like  him  a  deal  better.  Of 
all  the  hundreds  of  men  and  women  mjr  father  owns, 
there's  not  one  that  don't  respect  and  love  him. 
But  there's  a  class  of  whites  who  are  not  so  respected, 
and  when  their  people  escape  they  bring  them  back 
—that's  all." 

"  It's  brutal,"  muttered  Godfrey. 


274  TONY,    THE    HERO. 

"  A  man  has  a  right  to  reclaim  his  propertj^"  said 
Syd  coolly. 

Xow  neither  of  the  boys  knew  much  of  the  in- 
trinsic merits  of  the  question.  They  only  echoed 
the  words  and  arguments  their  elders  threw  back 
and  forth  unceasingly.  When  Syd  began  to  give 
the  details  of  the  late  hunt  after  a  runaway  horse- 
thief  in  the  swamp,  therefore,  Godfrey's  moral 
indignation  cooled  in  the  borrowed  ardor  of  the 
chase. 

"You  see,"  Syd  said  in  conclusion,  "Boosey  was 
really  a  criminal  of  the  worst  sort,  as  well  as  a 
slave,  and  he  belonged  to  old  Johnson.  Johnson's 
the  man  that  owns  the  hounds.  That's  his  place 
beyond  the  hill.  He's  a  whiskey  distiller,  and 
raises  slaves  for  the  market.  Oh,  of  course  he's 
tabooed.  Even  a  decent  laborer  looks  down  on  a 
man  that  raises  slaves  for  the  market." 

The  boys  went  out  fishing  presently,  and  Godfrey 
looked  with  a  thrill  of  horror  into  the  dark  thicket 
of  laurel  and  poisonous  ivy  as  they  passed  where 
Boose}7  was  still  hidden.  Down  in  his  secret  soul 
there  was  an  idea  of  the  fierce  and  terrible  zest  of 
hunting  anything — even  a  man — with  a  bloodhound, 
through  that  tragic  dusk  and  quagmire.  It  would 
be  akin  to  the  gladiatorial  combats  between  man 
and  beast  of  old  Home,  or  the  bull-fights  of  the 
plaza,  which  his  gentle  Cousin  Anne  had  learned  to 
relish  in  Madrid. 

"  What  do  you  say  to  riding  over  to  Col.  Page's 
to-night  ?"  said  Syd  at  supper.     "  The  girls  want  to 


THE    MIDXIGHT   RIDE.  275 

practice  some  new  music  before  the  next  party. 
It's  only  six  now.     We  can  ride  over  in  an  hour." 

"  All  right,"  said  Godfrey. 

"  Kemember,  boys,"  said  Dr.  Brooks,  "  you  are  to 
be  at  home  and  in  bed  by  ten."  For  Syd's  father, 
while  he  bestowed  horses,  guns,  every  accessory  to 
pleasure  upon  his  son  with  an  unstinting  hand,  yet 
held  a  tisyht  rein  on  him  and  never  allowed  him  to 
fancy  that  he  was  a  man  and  not  in  reality  a  child. 

"We'll  be  home  by  ten,  sir,"  the  boys  said 
promptly. 

ISTow  Godfrey  was  but  a  schoolboy,  and  at  home 
only  snubbed  and  kept  in  place  by  a  half-dozen 
grown  brothers  and  sisters.  This  riding  out  at 
night,  therefore,  on  a  pony,  which  for  the  time  was 
his  own  ;  this  calling  on  young  ladies  to  whom  he 
was  known  as  Mr.  Brooks,  of  Xew  York,  was  an 
ecstatic  taste  of  ad  nit  freedom  which  almost 
intoxicated  the  boy.  When  nine  o'clock  came,  and 
Syd  beckoned  him  from  the  sofa,  where  he  was 
reading  "  Locksley  Hall"  to  Miss  Amelia  Page,  he 
rose  so  unwillingly  as  to  cause  Joe  Page  to  look 
from  his  game  of  backgammon. 

"It's  too  bad  in  the  doctor  to  put  your  cousin 
into  strict  prison  regulations,  Syd,"  he  said.  "  I'll  go, 
however,  and  see  about  your  horses." 

He  came  back  with  a  queer  twinkle  in  his  eye. 
"  Sam  declares  he  hitched  them  securely ;  but 
they're  gone  now.  Sit  down,  boys,  sit  down.  You 
may  as  well  make  the  best  of  it.  The  fellows  are 
after  them.     They'll  be  here  by  and  by." 


276  T0XY,    THE   HERO. 

S37 cl  looked  annoyed.  "I  believe  Joe  unhitched 
them  himself.  I  promised  father  I'd  be  back  early." 
However  he  sat  down  quietly  and  waited.  Godfrey 
had  no  annoyance  to  hide. 

It  wanted  but  ten  minutes  to  eleven  o'clock  that 
night  when  the  ponies  were  brought  to  the  door, 
and  the  boys,  after  many  hand-shakings  and  cordial 
invitations,  were  allowed  to  depart  for  home. 

Then  the  glow  of  gallantry  and  manhood  began 
to  cool  in  Godfrey's  bosom,  and  the  unpleasant 
tremor  to  take  its  place  which  was  wont  to  over- 
come him  when  he  was  late  at  school. 

"  I  say,  Sycl,  I  wish  we  were  at  home,"  he  said, 
mounting. 

"  I  wish  we  were,"  gloomily. 

"Will  your  father  be  very  angry  ?" 

"  It  isn't  that.  But  I  never  broke  my  word  to 
him  before,  never.  I  know  what  he  thinks  of  a  man 
that  breaks  his  word.  The  road  is  heavy.  It's  a 
good  ride  for  an  hour  and  a  half,"  shutting  his 
watch  with  a  snap. 

"  Is  there  no  short  cut  ?" 

"Yes,  there's  one,"  looking  at  him  dubiously; 
"  but  it's  through  Johnson's  place." 

"  The  dogs — they're  not  loose,  eh  ?" 

"  That  I  don't  know.  He  keeps  them  chained  in 
daytime,  of  course,  but  whether  the  scoundrel 
looses  them  at  night  or  not  I  never  heard.  It 
would  be  just  like  him." 

The  boys  rode  on  in  silence.  Suddenly  Syd  drew 
up  with  a  jerk.    "  Here's  the  gate  into  Johnson's,  and 


THE   MIDNIGHT   RIDE.  277 

I  tell  you  what  it  is  I  must  go  this  way,  dogs  or  no 
dogs.  I'm  in  honor  bound  to  try  to  keep  my  prom- 
ise as  nearly  as  I  can,  no  matter  what  lies  in  the 
way.  You  can  ride  down  the  hill ;  I'll  wait  for  you 
at  the  house." 

"No,  sir;  I'm  with  you,"  feeling  himself  every 
inch  a  man  at  the  chance  of  an  adventure.  "  Open 
the  gate,  Syd.  Now  come  on !"  and  giving  their 
horses  the  rein  they  struck  into  a  gallop  down  the 
road  leading  close  by  Johnson's  house  and  stables. 
It  was  so  heavily  covered  with  tan-bark  that  the 
sound  of  the  hoofs  was  deadened,  and  the  boys 
spoke  in  whispers,  afraid  to  stir  the  midnight 
silence. 

Syd  nodded  toward  a  low  kennel,  back  of  the 
stables. 

"  There  !"  he  motioned  with  his  lips.  "  There's 
where  they  were  when  they  took  them  to  hunt 
Boosey." 

But  kennel  and  stables  were  silent  and  motionless 
in  the  cold  moonlight. 

The  tan-bark  was  replaced  by  pebbles  near  the 
house.  The  boys  took  their  ponies  up  on  the  short 
velvet  turf,  on  which  their  swift  feet  fell  with  a 
crisp,  soft  thud,  a  noise  hardly  sufficient  to  rouse 
the  most  watchful  dog,  but  which  drove  the  blood 
from  Godfrey's  cheeks.  His  short-lived  courage 
had  oozed  out. 

"  A  man  one  could  fight,"  he  thought.  "  But  to 
be  throttled  like  a  beast  by  a  dog."  The  glad- 
iatorial fights  of  Rome  did  not  thrill  him  so  much 
now  as  the  thought  of  them  had  sometimes  done. 


278  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

Thud — thud.  Every  beat  of  the  hoofs  upon  the 
grass  sounded  through  the  boys1  brains.  They  were 
up  to  the  kennels — past  them — safe.  Two  minutes 
passed  and  not  a  sound.  Godfrey  drew  a  long 
breath,  when — hark ! 

A  long,  deep  bay,  like  thunder,  sounded  through 
the  night. 

"  God  save  us !  They're  loose  and  are  after  us," 
gasped  Syd. 

Glancing  back  they  saw  two  enormous  black 
shapes  darting  from  behind  the  shadow  of  the 
porch,  and  coming  down  the  slope  behind  them. 

"Now,  Pitch  and  Tar!"  sang  out  Syd,  "it  all 
rests  on  you."  He  shouted  as  cheerily,  Godfrey 
thought,  as  though  he  were  chasing  a  hare.  Chas- 
ing and  being  chased  were  different  matters,  both 
the  boys  thought ;  though  there  was  a  reckless,  gay 
defiance  about  the  Southern  boy  which  his  cousin 
lacked,  courageous  as  he  was. 

The  ponies  seemed  to  catch  the  meaning  of  SycFs 
call.  They  looked  back.  Their  feet  scarcely 
touched  the  sward,  their  nostrils  were  reel,  their 
eyes  distended. 

After  the  first  fierce  howl  the  dogs  followed  in 
silence.  They  had  no  time  to  give  tongue ;  they 
had  work  to  do. 

A  long  stretch  of  pebbly  road  lay  before  the  boys, 
then  there  was  a  thick  patch  of  bushes,  and  beyond, 
the  gate. 

There  was  no  doubt  of  the  horses  keeping  up 
their  pace.     Terror  served  them  for  muscle  and 


THE   MIDNIGHT   RIDE.  279 

blood.  But  the  hounds  were  swifter  of  foot  at  any 
time.  They  gained  with  every  minute.  The  dis- 
tance was  about  fifty  yards. 

"  Can  we  do  it  ?"  Godfrey  asked.  His  tongue 
was  hot  and  parched. 

"  Of  course  we'll  do  it,  unless  the  gate  is  locked." 

After  this  new  dread  came  they  were  silent. 
Godfrey  thought  of  home,  his  mother,  and  poor 
little  Xell ;  wished  he  had  not  snubbed  her  as  he 
used  to  do. 

Syd  felt  desperately  in  his  pockets,  where  he 
found  only  a  penknife.  Why  would  not  his  father 
let  him  carry  firearms  as  the  other  bo}Ts  ? 

Suddenly  turning  to  Godfrey  he  made  a  gesture, 
and  turned  his  horse  full  on  the  hedge  of  privet.  It 
leaped  boldly — Godfrey's  followed.  But  the  hounds 
followed,  relentless  as  fate,  and  dashed  through  the 
lower  branches.     They  were  closer  than  before. 

"The  gate!  the  gate!"  cried  Syd.  He  had 
reached  it  and  fumbled  for  the  bolt.  Godfrey,  a 
dozen  paces  behind,  fancied  he  felt  the  tramp  of  the 
powerful  beasts  shake  the  ground.  He  turned,  saw 
them  coming  with  open  jaws,  closer,  closer. 

Would  the  gate  never  open  ?  There  was  a  creak 
and  crash,  and  it  rolled  back  on  its  rusty  hinges. 
The  horses  darted  through  so  violently  as  to  throw 
Godfrey  on  the  ground.  When  he  looked  up  Syd 
was  standing  beside  him,  and  from  the  other  side  of 
the  iron  bars  came  the  baffled  roar  of  the  angry 
beasts. 

The  boys  rode  home  without  a  word. 


280  TOHY,    THE   HERO. 

"What  about  reclaiming  property  by  means  of 
bloodhounds,  S}7d?"  asked  Godfrey. 

"  It's  brutal,"  cried  Syd  vehemently,  and  then  he 
laughed.  "I  tell  you,  Godfrey,  one  must  actually 
take  another  man's  place  before  he  can  be  quite 
just  to  him,  eh !" 


A  THOUSAND  A  YEAR. 


"  I  am  afraid  Daniel  must  give  up  his  studies/' 
Mrs.  Brooks  said,  sadly.  "I've  been  thinking  how 
we  are  to  meet  the  expenses  of  another  year,  and  it 
seems  quite  impossible  to  get  money  enough  to  do 
so." 

"  Oh,  it  would  be  such  a  pity,  and  brother  so 
nearly  through,"  Susan  said,  looking  up  in  a  dis- 
tressed way.  "He  mustn't  leave  college  now,  when 
he  is  so  near  graduating  !  There  must  be  a  way  of 
helping  him  through." 

Mrs.  Brooks  stooped  to  kiss  the  pale,  tender  face 
upturned  to  hers. 

"  You  have  a  wise  little  head,  Susan,  but  I  am 
afraid  there  is  a  problem  here  you  cannot  solve," 
said  the  widow,  mournfully. 

"  How  much  will  be  needed  ?" 

"At  least  a  hundred  dollars  besides  what  he  will 
earn  himself.  You  know  there  are  always  extra 
expenses  for  the  graduating  class." 

Susan's  countenance  fell.  It  was  a  great  sum  in 
her  estimation,  and  it  was  already  difficult  for  them 
to  meet  their  weekly  expenses. 

"Everything   depends    upon   brother's   success," 


282  TOKY,   THE   HERO. 

Susan  said,  presently.  "  We  must  give  up  every^ 
thing  for  him." 

"  I  cannot  forget  I  have  two  children,"  the  mother 
said,  kissing  the  girl  again  more  tenderly  than 
before. 

"  Two  children  ;  but  only  one  that  will  be  a  blessing 
to  you,"  Susan  said,  brushing  away  a  tear. 

"  Don't  say  that,  Susie.  I  am  proud  of  Daniel,  I 
do  not  deny  that — but  I  love  you,  too,  all  the  same." 

"  But  you  never  can  be  proud  of  me,  weak  and 
deformed  as  I  am !  Oh,  mother,  why  are  some 
flowers  made  so  beautiful  and  fragrant,  and  some  so 
dark  and  noisome?  Why  was  my  brother  so  fair, 
so  talented,  and  I  so  repulsive  ?" 

"  ~No,  no,  no,  not  repulsive ;  don't  say  that,"  the 
widow  cried,  putting  her  arms  around  the  girl  in  a 
sheltering  way. 

"  Do  you  think  Daniel  will  let  me  go  to  see  him 
take  his  diploma,  mother  ?" 

"  You  would  not  be  able,  dear." 

The  girl  laughed  bitterly. 

"  !N"o ;  brother  would  say  I  was  not  able,  too. 
But  I  should  be  glad,  so  very  glad  to  see  him 
graduate.     I  think  I  would  be  willing  to  die  then." 

"Hush,  my  darling,"  the  mother  cried,  with  a 
sharp  pain  in  her  voice.  "When  you  are  gone  1 
shall  soon  follow.  Daniel  will  be  satisfied  with  his 
laurels,  but  women — ah,  my  child — women  must 
love  something,  and  you  are  all  that  is  left  me  to 
love." 

Susan  nestled   her  head  in  her  mother's  bosom 


A  THOUSAND   A   TEAR.  283 

without  speaking,  and  lay  there  so  long  that  her 
mother  thought  she  was  sleeping.  Suddenly  she 
opened  her  eyes  and  said  : 

"I  have  thought  it  all  out,  mother.  Daniel  can 
graduate,  and  we  will  go  see  him  take  his  diploma. 
Mr.  Green  needs  girls  to  braid  straw  hats.  You 
know  I  am  nimble  with  my  fingers,  and  I  could 
braid  a  thousand  a  year,  and  that  would  be  how 
much  ?" 

"But  it  would  be  wicked  for  me  to  allow  you  to 
overtask  yourself  in  that  wav,  darling.  I  am  not 
sure  but  it  might  ruin  your  health,  feeble  as  you  are. 
No,  no,  it  is  not  to  be  thought  of." 

"  How  many  might  I  undertake,  mother  ?" 

"Not  half  that  amount ;  not  a  third,  even." 

"Would  Daniel  be  willing  for  me  to  braid,  do 
you  think  ?" 

"I  don't  know.     AVe  will  ask  him." 

"Mother,"  Susan  said,  looking  into  her  eyes,  "I 
believe  this  is  my  mission,  to  educate  Daniel.  You 
know  we  have  given  him  everything — my  portion  of 
the  property  and  yours.  I  think  I  could  hold  out 
to  do  this  last,  and  you  will  consent  when  you  come 
to  reflect  upon  what  it  will  be  to  brother,  and  to 
you,  when  I  am  gone.  But  he  must  not  know  it. 
It  would  wound  his  pride,  and  he  would  get  some 
false  notion  in  his  head  that  he  could  not  use  money 
I  had  earned  in  that  way.  Now,  promise  me,  that 
let  what  will  come,  }Tou  will  never  tell  him  that  I 
braided  straw  hats  that  he  might  complete  his  educa- 
tion." 


284  TOXT,    THE   HERO. 

"  I  cannot  promise  never  to  tell  him,  darling,  uecause 
I  cannot  foresee  the  future,  but  I  should  not  like  him 
to  be  humbled  and  wounded,  more  than  yourself. 
I  am  too  old  to  learn  readily,  but  perhaps  I,  too, 
could  earn  something  b\7  braiding." 

The  determination  was  now  fully  settled  in  the 
mind  of  each,  that  the  young  man  must  graduate, 
and  that  the  bills  must  be  met  by  them.  The 
patronage  of  Mr.  Green  was  solicited,  and  it  was 
agreed  the  work  should  be  taken  home,  and  that  a 
thousand  hats  should  be  braided  for  ten  cents  each, 
which  he  assured  them  was  more  than  he  would 
think  of  pa}dng  to  any  one  else,  and  only  to  Susan 
in  consideration  of  her  infirmity. 

We  ought,  perhaps,  to  explain  that  Susan  had 
been  earl}7  afflicted  with  a  curvature  of  the  spine, 
which  had  sadly  deformed  her.  She  would  never 
have  been  a  beautiful  girl,  Daniel  having  inherited 
not  only  all  the  family  talent,  but  its  beauty  as 
well.  But  her  eyes  were  wondrously  attractive, 
with  their  loving,  yearning  persuasiveness,  and  few 
could  remember  her  deformity  who  had  felt  the 
warmth  of  her  generous  nature. 

In  clue  time,  the  anticipated  letter  of  inquiry 
came  from  Daniel,  asking  what  the  prospects  were 
for  the  coming  year.  It  was  full  of  dismal  fore- 
bodings and  egotistical  complaints  of  the  hard  for- 
tune that  made  him  dependent  upon  his  mother, 
but  there  was  no  regret  that  she  suffered  too ;  no 
longing  to  be  a  man  that  he  might  take  this 
lonely   couple   in   his   strong  arms  and  bear  them 


A   THOUSAND   A   YEAR.  285 

tenderly  over  the  rough  places  of  life ;  only  vague, 
ambitious  dreamings  of  what  he  was  to  be  to  the 
world,  and  the  world  to  him. 

The  widow  laid  down  the  letter  with  a  sigh. 
Susan  read  the  pages  over  and  over  again.  So 
grounded  was  she  in  her  love  for  this  earthly  idol 
that  the  selfishness  was  less  apparent  to  her  than  to 
her  mother. 

Its  sadness  seemed  like  tenderness,  and  he  could 
not  speak  too  often  or  too  much  of  the  genius  which 
she  believed  he  possessed,  and  which  would  some 
time  break  upon  the  world  like  the  meteor  to  which 
he  rather  tritely  compared  himself. 

"  Ah,  we  shall  be  so  proud  of  him !"  Susan  said, 
folding  the  letter  and  laying  it  away  near  her  heart, 
where  it  rested  many  and  many  a  day,  while  she 
wove  the  strands  of  straw  in  and  out,  thinking  how 
ten  times  ten  made  one  dollar,  and  how  the  dollars 
would  some  time  count  up  to  a  hundred,  and  that 
sum,  which  her  fingers  had  wrought  out,  would  save 
her  brother  from  discouragement,  if  not  from 
despair. 

The  first  twenty-five  dollars  was  earned,  and  the 
money  was  sent  the  brother. 

"He  was  very  glad  of  it,"  he  said.  "He  had 
begun  to  fear  lest  they  would  fail  him."  There  was 
no  inquiry  how  it  had  been  obtained ;  no  solicitude 
lest  those  who  loved  him  had  deprived  themselves 
of  luxuries,  perhaps  necessities,  to  meet  his  demands. 

The  next  twenty-five  dollars  was  earned,  with 
greater   difficulty.     The   widow   was   awkward   at 


286  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

braiding,  and  her  work  unsatisfactory,  and  so  some 
of  it  was  returned  to  Susan.  She  sat  up  later  nights, 
that  her  mother  should  not  see  how  hard  the  work 
pressed  upon  her ;  but  the  twenty-five  dollars  came 
at  last,  and  was  sent  to  the  student.  Then  there 
was  another  letter  of  thanks. 

"If  you  would  but  rest,  darling,"  the  mother 
would  say,  when  some  look  more  wan  than  another 
startled  her  into  keener  anxiety. 

"When  it  is  done  we  will  rest  together,"  was 
all  the  reply  the  solicitude  brought. 

It  was  too  late  to  retract  now,  the  mother 
thought ;  and  Daniel  so  nearly  through !  So  they 
pinched  a  little  from  their  daily  meals,  a  little  from 
the  store  of  candles,  a  little  from  the  evening  fire, 
and  prayed  that  every  penny  might  be  multiplied 
like  the  widow's  meal. 

One  night  Mrs.  Brooks  had  gone  to  bed  exhausted 
and  hysterical  with  overlabor.  Susan  pressed  the 
blankets  tenderly  around  her  mother's  shoulders, 
and  having  given  her  the  good-night  kiss,  and  quieted 
her  with  many  promises  of  soon  following  her,  she 
went  back  to  the  kitchen  fire  and  resumed  the 
weary  braiding. 

She  had  not  completed  her  usual  task  that  week, 
and  the  idea  occurred  to  her  that  her  mother  having 
fallen  asleep,  she  could  braid  another  hat  before 
retiring.  So  she  set  up  new  strands  and  the  thin 
fingers  wove  them  patiently  in  and  out,  until  sharp 
pain  clutched  her  with  merciless  teeth,  and  she 
leaned  forward,  her  head  falling  upon  the  table,  in 
a  dead  faint. 


A   THOUSAND   A   TEAR.  287 

It  was  long  past  midnight  when  Susan  found  her- 
self in  this  position.  Shivering  with  cold,  she  crept 
to  her  mother's  side  and  lay  the  remainder  of  the 
night,  racked  by  alternate  fevers  and  chills. 

How  could  the  poor  child  tell  her  mother  of  what 
she  knew  was  creeping  so  steadily  toward  her? 
Would  she  make  a  final  effort  to  save  her  own  life 
and  let  Daniel  struggle  with  his  fortunes  as  he  best 
could  ? 

Poor,  brave  little  heart,  with  the  chill  of  the 
grave  stealing  over  it,  but  warmed  back  into  life 
and  renewed  suffering  by  the  wonderful  strength  of 
its  undying  love  ! 

Another  twenty  five  dollars  was  forwarded  to 
Daniel,  and  a  few  lines  came  flying  back  by  the 
return  post,  for  Daniel  was  a  man  of  business  habits, 
and  punctual  in  all  things. 

Susan  looked  it  all  over  carefully  for  some  loving 
message  to  her ;  some  sign  answering  to  what  she 
felt  in  her  own  heart  toward  him,  but  there  was 
nothing  there  but  "  With  love  to  Susan,  I  remain, 
etc.,  Daniel." 

A  dry  sob  escaped  the  poor  child  as  she  laid  it  by, 
and  took  up  the  weary,  rustling  braids.  The  sound 
rasped  upon  her  nerves  now.  The  ver\T  odor  of  the 
strands  nauseated  her.  Every  kink  in  the  braids 
fretted  her;  and  when  one  hat  was  finished  and 
laid  aside,  it  seemed  such  a  mountainous  task  to 
commence  another. 

Sometimes  hours  would  pass  by  without  a  round 
being  accomplished,  then  again  the  nimble  fingers 
would  be  inspired,  and  the  work  would  grow  as  of  old. 


288  TONY,    THE   HERO. 

"If  I  could  only  go  and  see  Daniel  take  his 
diploma,"  she  would  say,  I  think  it  would  make  me 
strong  again.  I  would  wear  my  white  muslin  frock, 
with  the  blue  sash,  and  he  would  not  be  ashamed  of 
me." 

But  it  was  not  to  be.  The  one  thousand  hats 
were  braided,  and  Susan's  task  was  done.  Nothing 
remained  for  her  but  to  lie  down  in  her  modest 
casket  and  sleep  with  folded  hands  until  the  blessed 
Saviour  shall  bid  her  approach  to  receive  His  wel- 
come— "  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant." 

Daniel  returned  with  his  collegiate  honors  only  to 
listen  to  the  sad  story  of  her  labors  and  death.  His 
mother  told  it  as  they  stood  by  the  coffin.  There 
were  the  worn  letters  she  had  cherished,  blistered 
all  over  with  tears. 

He  was  conscience  stricken  when  he  looked  them 
over,  and  saw  how  cold  and  egotistical  they  were, 
and  how"  thoughtless  he  had  always  been  of  the 
treasure  that  death  had  taken.  He  took  the  thin 
hands  in  his — the  hands  that  had  braided  and 
plaited  while  he  slept,  and  wrought  out  the  treasure- 
trove  that  molded  the  key  to  his  success,  and  he 
made  solemn  resolutions  for  the  future.  Let  us 
hope  that,  in  her  broken  life,  he  learned  how 
beautiful  in  the  sight  of  God  and  angels  is  the  self- 
sacrifice  of  the  lowly  in  heart :  and  how  much 
better  it  is  to  die  in  the  struggle  to  bless  others 
than  it  is  to  live  to  a  selfish,  unloving,  unsanctifled 
old  age. 

THE   END, 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS 

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BY  POPULAR  WRITERS, 

97-99-101  Reade  Street,  New  York, 


Bonnie  Prince  Charlie  :  A.  Tale  of  Fontenoy  and  Culloden.     By 

G.  A.  Henty.     With   12   full-page   Illustrations   by  Gordon 

Browne.     12ino,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  adventures  of  the  son  of  a  Scotch  officer  in  French  service. 
Tne  boy,  brought  up  by  a  Glasgow  bailie,  is  a  rested  for  aiding  a 
Jacobite  agent,  escapes,  is  wrecked  on  the  French  coast,  reaches 
Paris,  and  serves  with  the  French  army  at  Dettingen.  He  kills 
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land 

"Ronald,  the  hero,  is  very  like  the  hero  of  '  Quentin  Durward.1  The  lad's 
]ourney  across  France,  and  his  hairbreadth  escapes,  make  up  as  good  a  nar- 
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variety  of  incident  Mr.  Henty  has  surpassed  himself.  "'—Sped  a  tor. 

With  Clive  in  India  ;  or,  the  Beginnings  of  ^an  Empire.  By 
G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  full-page  Illustrations  by  Gordon 
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The  period  between  the  landing  of  Clive  as  a  young  writer  in 
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on  sufferance  of  the  native  princes.  At  its  close  they  were  masters 
of  Bengal  and  f  the  greater  part  of  Southern  Indir..  The  author 
has  given  a  full  and  accurate  account  of  the  events  of  that  stirring 
time,  and  battles  and  sieges  follow  each  other  in  rapid  succession, 
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'"  He  has  taken  a  period  of  Indian  history  of  the  most  vital  importance, 
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Thirty  Years'  War.     The  issue  had  its  importance,  which  has  ex 

tended   to   the  present  day,  as   it   established  religious   freedom 

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In  this  story  the  author  gives  an  a  count  of  the  fierce  struggle 
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He  is  driven  from  his  home,  takes  to  the  sea  and  resi.ststhe  Danes 
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"  Treated  in  a  manner  most  attractive  to  the  boyish  reader." — Athenaeum* 

The  Young  Carthaginian  :  A  Story  of  the  Times  of  Hannibal. 
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Boys  reading  the  history  of  the  Puuic  Wars  have  seldom  a  keen 
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struggle  for  empire,  and  afterward  for  existence  on  the  part  of 
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defeated  the  Romans  at  Trebia,  Lake  Trasimenus,  and  Cannae, 
and  all  but  took  R  une,  represents  pretty  nearly  the  sum  total  of 
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varies  in  direction,  but  never  loses  its  force.*1—  Saturday  Review. 

In  Freedom's  Cause  :  A  Story  of  Wallace  and  Bruce.  ByG.  A. 
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12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

In  this  story  the  author  relates  the  stirring  tale  of  the  Scottish 
War  of  Independence.  The  extraordinary  valor  and  personal 
prowess  of  Wallace  and  Bruce  rival  the  deeds  of  the  mythical 
heroes  of  chivalry,  and  indeed  at  one  time  Wallace  was  ranked 
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historians  have  shown,  however,  that  he  was  a  living,  breathing 
man — and  a  valiant  champion.  The  hero  of  the  tale  fought  under 
both  Wallace  and  Bruce,  and  while  the  strictest  historical  accuracy 
has  been  maintained  with  respect  to  public  events,  the  work  is 
full  of  "hairbreadth  'scapes"  and  wild  adventure. 

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The  story  of  a  young  Virginian  planter,  who,  aft  r  bravely 
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with  no  less  courage  and  enthusiasm  under  Lee  and  Jackson 
through  the  most  exciting  events  of  the  struggle.  He  has  many 
hairbreadth  escapes,  is  seve  al  times  wounded  and  twice  taken 
prisoner;  but  bis  courage  and  readiness  and,  in  two  cases,  the 
devoti  m  of  a  black  servant  and  of  a  runaway  slave  whom  he  had 
assisted,  bring  him  safely  through  all  difficulties. 

"  One  of  the  best  stories  for  lads  which  Mr.  Henty  has  yet  written.  The 
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Standard. 

By  England's  Aid  ;  or,  The  Freeing  of  the  Netherlands   (1585- 
1604).     By    G.    A.    Henty.     With   full-page    Illustrations   by 
Alfred  Pearse,  and  Maps.     12 mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
The  story  of  two   English   lads  v.  ho  go  to  Holland  as  pages  in 
the  service  of  one  of  "  the  righting  Veres."     After   many  adven- 
tures by  sea  and  land,  one  of  the  lads  finds  himself  <  n  board  a 
Spanish  ship  at  the  time  of  the  defeat  of  the  Armada,  and  escapes 
only  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Corsairs.     He  is  successful  in 
getting  back  to  S  ain  under  the  protection  of  a  wealthy  merchant, 
and  regains  his  native  country  after  the  capt  -re  of  Cadiz. 

"  It  is  an  admirable  book  for  youngsters.  It  overflows  with  stirring  inci- 
dent and  exciting  adventure,  and  the  color  of  the  era  and  of  the  scene  are 
finely  reproduced.  The  illustrations  add  to  its  attractiveness.1' — Boston 
Gazette. 

By  Right  of  Conquest  ;  or,  With  Cortez  in  Mexico.      By  Q.  A. 

Hexty.     With  full-page  Illustrations  by  W.  S.   Stacey,  and 

Two  Maps.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.50. 

The  conquest  of  Mexico  by  a  small  band  of  resolute  men  under 
the  magnificent  leadership  of  Cortez  is  always  rightly  ranked 
among  the  most  romantic  and  daring  exploits  in  history.  With 
this  as  the  groundwork  of  his  story  Mr.  Henty  has  interw  ven  the 
adventures  of  an  English  youth,  Roger  Hawkshaw,  the  sole  sur- 
vivor of  the  good  ship  Swan,  which  bad  sailed  from  a  Devon  port 
i~  challenge  the  mercantile  supremacy  o  tbe  Spaniards  in  the 
New  World.  He  is  beset  by  many  perils  among  the  natives,  but 
is  saveo.  by  his  own  judgment  and  strength,  and  by  the  devotion 
of  an  Aztec  princess.  At  last  by  a  ruse  he  obtains  the  protection 
of  the  £■?;  aniards,  and  after  tbe  fall  of  Mexico  h°  succeeds  in  re- 
gaining his  native  shore,,  with  a  fortune  and  a  charming  Aztec 
bride. 

"  '  By  Right  of  Conquest '  is  the  nearest  approach  to  a  perfectly  successful 
historical  tale  that  Mr.  Henty  has  yet  ^}ublished.,'' — Academy. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


In  the  Reign  of  Terror  :  The  Adventures  of  a  Westminster  Bof 
By  (j.  A.  Henty.      With  full-page  Illustrations  bv  J.  Schon- 
berg.     12ino,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Harry  Sandwitk,  a  Westminster  boy,  becomes  a  resident  at  th& 
chateau  of  a  French  mar  prs,  and  aft  r  various  adventures  accom- 
panies the  family  to  Pal  is  at  the  crisis  of  the  Revolution.  Im- 
prisonment and  death  reduce  their  number,  and  the  hero  finds 
himself  beset  by  perils  with  the  three  young  daughters  of  the 
1  ouse  in  his  charge.  After  hairbreadth  escapes  they  reach  Nan- 
tes.  There  the  l  iris  are  condemned  to  death  in  the  coffin-ships, 
but  are  saved  by  the  unfailing  courage  of  their  boy  protector. 

"  Harry  Sandwith,  the  Westminster  boy,  may  fairly  be  said  to  beat  Mr. 
Henty*s  record.  His  adventures  will  delight  boys  by  the  audacity  and  peril 
they 'depict.  .  .  .  The  story  is  one  of  Mr.  Henty's  best.'''—  Saturday 
Bevieic. 

With  Wolfe  in  Canada  ;  or,  The  Winning  of  a  Continent,  By 
G.  A.  Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Gordon 
Browne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

In  the  present  volume  Mr.  Henty  gives  an  accoun+  of  the  strug- 
gle between  Britain  and  France  for  supremacy  in  the  North 
American  continent.  On  the  issue  of  this  war  depended  not  only 
the  destinies  of  North  America,  but  to  a  large  extent  those  of  the 
mother  countries  themselves.  The  fall  of  Quebec  decided  that 
the  Anglo-Saxon  race  should  predominate  in  the  New  World; 
that  Britain,  and  not  France,  should  lake  the  lead  among  the 
nations  of  Europe;  and  that  English  and  American  commerce,  the 
English  language,  and  English  literature,  should  spread  right 
round  the  globe. 

"  It  is  not  only  a  lesson  in  history  as  instructively  as  it  is  graphically  told, 
but  also  a  deeply  interesting  and  often  thrilling  tale  of  adventure  and  peril  by 
flood  and  field.' ^—Illustrated  London  Xeivs. 

True  to  the  Old  Flag :  A  Tale  of  the  American  War  of  Inde- 
pendence.    By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  full-page  Illustrations  by 
Gordon  Browne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
In  this  story  the  author  has  gone  to  the  accounts  of  officers  who 
took  part  in  the  conflict,  and  lads  will  find  that  in  no  war  in  which 
American  and  British  soldiers  have  been  engaged  did  they  behave 
with  greater  courage  and  good  conduct.     The  historical  portion  of 
the  book  being  accompanied  with  numerous  thrilling  adventures 
with  the  redskins  on  the  shores  of  La   e  Huron,  a  story  of  exciting 
interest  is  interwoven  with   the   general   narrative   and    carried 
through  the  book. 

"  Does  justice  to  the  pluck  and  determination  of  the  British  soldiers  during: 
the  unfortunate  struggle  against  American  emancipation.  The  pon  of  an 
American  loyalist,  who  remains  true  to  our  flag,  falls  among  the  hostile  red- 
skins in  that  very  Huron  country  which  has  been  endeared  to  us  by  the  ex- 
ploits of  Hawkey  e  and  Chingachgook."'— The  Times. 


A.   L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


The  Lion  of  St.  Mark  :  A  Tale   of   Venice   in   the    Fourteenth. 

Century.     By  G.  A.  Hexty.     With  full-page   Illustrations  by 

Gordox  Browxe.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  story  of  Venice  at  a  period  when  her  strength  and  splendor 
were  put  to  the  severest  tests,  The  hero  displays  a  fine  sense  and 
manliness  which  carry  him  safely  through  an  atmosphere  of  in- 
irigue,  crime,  and  bloodshed.  He  contributes  largely  to  the  vic- 
tories of  the  Venetians  at  Porto  d'Anzo  and  Chioggia,  and  finally 
wins  the  hand  of  the  daughter  of  one  of  the  chief  men  of  Venice. 

"  Every  boy  should  read  '  The  Lion  of  St.  Mark.'  Mr.  Henry  has  never  pro- 
duced a  story  more  delightful,  more  wholesome,  or  more  vivacious. "— Satur- 
day Review. 

A  Final  Reckoning:  A  Tale  of  Bush  Life  in  Australia,  ByG.  A 
Hexty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  W.  B.  Wollen* 
12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00, 

The  hero,  a  young  English  lad.  after  rather  a  stormy  boyhood, 
emigrates  to  Australia,  and  gets  employment  as  a^  officer  in  the 
mounted  police.  A  few  years  of  active  work  on  the  frontier, 
where  he  has  many  a  brush  with  both  natives  and  bushrangers, 
gain  him  promotion  to  a  captaincy,  and  he  eventually  settles 
down  to  the  peaceful  life  of  a  squatter. 

"Mr.  Henty  has  never  published  a  more  readable,  a  more  carefully  coo 
structed.  or  a  better  written  story  than  this." —Spectator. 

Under  Drake's  Flag  :  A  Tale  of  the  Spanish  Main.     By  G.  A. 

Hexty.     With   full-page   Illustrations  by   Gordox  Browne, 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  story  of  the  days  when  England  and  Spain  struggled  for  the 
supremacy  of  the  sea.  The  her  ies  sail  as  lads  with  Drake  in  the 
Pacific  expedition,  and  in  his  great  voyage  of  circumnavigation. 
The  historical  portion  of  the  story  is  absolutely  tc  be  relied  upon, 
but  this  will  perhaps  be  less  attractive  than  the  great  variety  of 
exciting  adventure  through  which  the  young  heroes  pass  in  the 
course  of  their  voyages. 

!-  A  book  of  adventure,  where  the  hero  meets  wic^  experience  enough,  one 
would  think,  to  turn  his  hair  gray."-  -Harper's  Monthly  Magazine. 

By  Sheer  Pluck  :  A  Tale  of  the  Ashanti  War.  By  G.  A.  Henty 
With  full- page  Illustrations  by  Gordox  Brovxe.  i2mo 
cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  author  has  woven,  in  a  tale  of  thrilling  interest,  all  the  de 
tails  of  the  Ashanti  campaign,  of  \rhich  he  was  himself  a  witness. 
His  hero,  after  many  exciting  adventures  in  the  interior,  is  de- 
tained a  prisoner  by  the  king  just  before  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
but  escapes,  and  accompanies  the  English  expedition  on  theii 
march  to  Coomassie. 

- '  Mr.  Henty  keeps  up  his  reputation  as  a  writer  ol  boys'  stories.  '  By  Sheer 
Pluck  '  will  be  eagerly  read."-  At  snceum. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


By  Pike  and  Dyke  :  A  Tale  of  the  Riss  of  the  Dutch  Republic. 
By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Maynarb 
Brown,  and  4  Maps.     12ino,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
In  this  story  Mr.  Henty  traces  the  adventures  and  brave  deeds 
Of  an  English  boy  in  the  household  of  the  ablest  man  of  his  age — 
William  the  Silent.     Edward  Martin,  the  son  of  an  English  sea- 
Captain,  enters  the  service  of  the  Prince  as  a  volunteer,  and  is  em- 
ployed by  him  in  many  dangerous  and  responsible  missions,  in  the 
discharge  of  which  he  passes  through  the  great  sieges  of  the  time 
He  ultimately  settles  down  as  Sir  Edward  Martin. 

"  Boys  with  a  turn  for  historical  research  will  be  enchanted  with  the  book, 
while  the  rest  who  only  care  for  adventure  will  be  students  in  spite  of  them 
selves.1'1 — St.  James''  Gazette. 

St.  George  for  England  :  A  Tale  of  Cressy  and  Poitiers.  By 
G.  A.  Henty.  With  fuh-page  Illustrations  by  Gordcxt 
Broavne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

No  portion  ox  English  history  is  more  crowded  with  great  events 
than  that  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  Cressy  and  Poitiers;  the 
destruction  of  the  Spanish  fleet;  the  plague  of  the  Black  Death; 
the  Jacquerie  rising;  these  are  treated  by  the  author  in  "  St. 
George  for  England."  The  hero  of  the  story,  although  of  good 
family,  begins  life  as  a  London  apprentice,  but  after  countless  ad. 
ventures  and  perils  becomes  by  valor  and  good  conduct  the  squire, 
and  at  last  the  trusted  friend  of  the  Black  Prince. 

"Mr.  Henty  has  developed  for  himself  a  type  of  historical  novel  for  boys 
which  bids  fair  to  supplement,  on  their  behalf,  the  historical  labors  of  Sir 
Walter  Scott  in  the  land  of  fiction.''',— The  Standard. 

Captain's  Kidd's  Gold  :  The  True  Story  of  an  Adventurous  Sailor 
Boy.  By  James  Franklin  Fitts.  12mo,  clotn,  price  $1.00. 
There  is  something  fascinating  to  the  average  youth  in  tlie  very 
idea  of  buried  treasure.  A  vision  arises  before  his  eyes  of  swarthy 
Portuguese  and  Spanish  rascals,  with  black  beards  and  gleaming 
eyes — sinister-looking  fellows  who  once  on  a  time  haunted  the 
Spanish  Main,  sneaking  out  from  some  hidden  creek  in  their  long, 
low  schooner,  of  picaroonisn  rake  and  sheer,  to  attack  an  unsus- 
pecting trading  craft.  Tnere  were  many  famous  sea  rovers  in 
their  day,  but  none  more  celebrated  than  Capt.  Kid'd.  Perhaps 
the  most  fascinating  tale  of  all  is  Mr.  Fitts'  true  story  of  an  adven- 
turous American  boy,  who  receives  from  his  dying  father  an 
ancient  bit  of  vellum,  which  the  latter  obtained  in  a  cur'ous  way 
The  document  bears  obscure  directions  purporting  to  locate  a  cer- 
tain island  in  the  Bahama  group,  and  a  considerable  treasure 
buried  there  by  two  of  Kidd's  crew.  The  hero  of  this  book, 
Paul  Jones  Garry,  is  an  ambit:ous,  persevering  lad,  of  salt-water 
New  England  ancestry,  and  bis  efforts  to  reach  the  island  and 
serurc!  the  money  form  one  of  the  nost  absorbing  tales  for  our 
youth  Uifct  has  come  from  the  press. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Cap'.ain  Bayley's  Heir  :  1  Tale  of  the  Gold  Fields  of  California 
By  Cr.  A.  Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  H.  M 
Paget.     12rno,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  frank,  manly  lad  and  his  cousin  are  rivals  in  the  heirship  of  a 
co. .siderable  property.  The  former  fills  into  a  trap  laid  by  the 
latter,  and  while  under  a  false  accusation  of  theft  foolishly  leaves 
England  for  America.  He  works  his  passage  before  the  mast, 
joins  a  small  band  of  hunters,  crosses  a  tract  of  country  infested 
with  Indians  to  the  Californian  gold  diggings,  and  is  successful 
both  as  digger  and  trader. 

"Mr.  Henty  is  careful  to  mingle  instruction  with  entertainment;  and  the 
humorous  touches,  especially  in  the  sketch  of  John  Holl.  the  Westminster 
dustman,  Dickens  himself  could  hardly  have  excelled.11— Christian  Leader. 

For  Name  and  Fame  ;  or,  Through  Afghan  Passes.  By  G.  A 
Henty.  With  full -page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 
12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

An  interesting  story  of  the  last  war  in  Afghanistan.  The  hero, 
after  being  wrecked  and  going  through  many  stirring  adventures 
among  the  Malays,  finds  his  way  to  Calcutta  and  enlists  in  a  regi- 
ment proceeding  to  join  the  army  at  the  Afghan  passes.  He  ac- 
companies the  force  under  General  Roberts  to  the  Peiwar  Kotalj 
is  wounded,  taken  prisoner,  carried  to  Cabul,  whence  he  is  trans' 
ferred  to  Candahar,  and  takes  part  in  the  final  defeat  of  the  armt 
of  Ayoub  Khan. 

"The best  feature  of  the  book— apart  from  the  interest  of  its  scenes  of  ad- 
venture—is its  honest  effort  to  do  justice  to  the  patriotism  of  the  Afghan 
people.11 — Daily  Xews. 

Captured  by  Apes  :  The  Wonderful  Adventures  of  a  Young 
Animal  Trainer.  By  Harry  Prentice.  12mo,  cloth,  $1.00. 
The  scene  of  this  tale  is  laid  on  an  island  in  the  Malay  Archi- 
pelago, Philip  Garland,  a  young  animal  collector  and  trainer,  of 
New  York,  sets  sail  for  Eastern  seas  in  quest  of  a  new  stock  of 
living  curiosities.  The  vessel  is  wrecked  off  the  coast  of  Borneo 
and  young  Garland,  the  sole  survivor  of  the  disaster,  is  cast  ashore 
Dn  a  small  island,  and  captured  by  the  apes  that  overrun  the 
place.  The  lad  discovers  that  the  ruling  spirit  of  the  monkey 
tribe  is  a  gigantic  and  vicious  baboon,  whom  he  identifies  as 
Goliah,  an  auimal  at  one  time  in  his  possession  and  with  whose 
instruction  he  had  been  especially  diligent.  The  brute  recognizes 
him,  and  with  a  kind  of  malignant  satisfaction  puts  his  former 
master  through  the  same  course  of  training  he  had  himself  ex 
perienced  with  a  faithfulness  of  detail  which  shows  how  astonish- 
ing is  monkey  recollection.  Very  novel  indeed  is  the  way  by 
which  the  young  man  escapes  death.  Mr.  Pr  mtice  has  certainly 
worked  a  new  vein  on  juvenile  fiction,  and  thf  ability  with  willed 
he  handles  a  difficult  subject  stamps  him  as  a  *  liter  of  undoubted 
skill. 


8  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

The  Bravest  of  the  Brave ;  or,  With  Peterborough  in  Spain 
By  G.  A.  Hexty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  H<  M. 
Paget.     12ni<>,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

There  are  few  great  leaders  whose  lives  and  actions  have  so 
completely  fallen  into  oblivion  as  those  of  the  Earl  of  Peter 
borough.  This  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  they  were  over- 
shadowed by  the  glory  and  successes  of  Marlborough.  His  career 
as  general  extended  over  little  more  than  a  year,  and  yet,  in  that 
time,  he  showed  a  genius  for  warfare  which  has  never  been  sur 
passed. 

"  Mr.  Henty  never  loses  sight  of  the  moral  purpose  of  his  work— to  enforce 
the  doctrine  of  courage  and  truth.  Lads  will  read  '  The  Bravest  of  the  Brave  ' 
with  pleasure  and  profit;  of  that  we  are  quite  sure."— Daily  Telegraph. 

The  Cat  of  Bubastes  :  A  Story  of  Ancient  Egypt.     By  G.  A. 

Henty.   With  full-page  Illustrations.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  story  which  will  give  young  readers  an  unsurpassed  insight 
into  the  customs  of  the  Egyptian  people.  Amuba,  a  prince  of  the 
Rebu  nation,  is  carried  with  his  charioteer  Jethro  into  slavery. 
They  become  inmates  of  the  house  of  Ameres,  the  Egyptian  high- 
p:iest.  and  are  happy  in  his  service  until  the  priest's  son  acci- 
dentally kills  the  sacred  cat  of  Bubastes.  In  an  outburst  of  popular 
fury  Ameres  is  killed,  and  it  rests  with  Jethro  and  Amuba  to 
secure  the  escape  of  the  high-priest's  son  and  daughter. 

"  The  story,  from  the  critical  moment  of  the  killing  of  the  sacred  cat  to  the 
perilous  exodus  into  Asia  with  which  it  closes,  is  very  skillfully  constructed 
and  full  of  exciting  adventures.  It  is  admirably  illustrated. "Saturday 
Bevieio. 

With  Washington  at  Monmouth  :  A  Story  of  Three  Phila- 
delphia Boys.  By  James  Otis.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
Three  Philadelphia  boys,  Seth  Graydon  "  whose  mother  con- 
ducted a  boarding-house  which  was  patronized  by  the  British 
officers;"  Enoch  Ball,  "son  of  that  Mrs.  Ball  whose  dancing 
school  was  situated  on  Letitia  Street,"  and  little  Jacob,  son  of 
"  Chris,  the  Baker,"  serve  as  the  principal  characters.  The 
story  is  laid  during  the  winter  when  Lord  Howe  held  possession 
of  the  city,  and  the  lads  aid  the  cause  by  a-sisting  the  American 
spies  who  make  regular  and  frequent  visits  from  Valley  Forge. 
One  reads  here  of  home-life  in  the  captive  city  when  bread  was 
scarce  among  the  people  of  the  lower  classes,  and  a  reckless  prodi- 
gality shown  by  the  British  officers,  who  passed  the  winter  in 
feasting  and  merry-making  while  the  members  of  the  patriot  army 
but  a  few  miles  away  were  suffering  from  both  cold  and  hunger. 
The  story  abounds  with  pictures  of  Colonial  life  skillfully 
drawn,  and  the  glimpses  of  Washington's  soldiers  which  are  giver. 
<show  that  the  work  has  not  been  hastily  done,  or  without  coo 
aiderable  study. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  9 

For  the  Temple:  A  Tale  of  the  Fall   of  Jerusalem.     By  G.  A. 

Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  S.  J.  Solomon.  12ldo, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Mr.  Henty  here  weaves  into  the  record  of  Josephus  an  admirable 
and  attractive  story.  The  troubles  in  the  district  of  Tiberias,  the 
march  of  the  legions,  the  sieges  of  Jotapata,  of  Gamala,  and  of 
Jerusalem,  form  the  impressive  and  carefully  studied  historic 
setting  to  the  figure  of  the  lad  who  passes  from  the  vineyard  to 
the  service  of  Josephus,  becomes  the  leader  of  a  guerrilla  band  of 
patriots,  fights  bravely  for  the  Temple,  and  after  a  brief  term  of 
slaverv  at  Alexandria,  returns  to  his  Galilean  home  with  the  favor 
of  Titus. 

"Mr.  Henty 's  graphic  prose  pictures  of  the  hopele^  Jewish  resistance  to 
Roman  sway  add  another  leaf  to  his  record  of  the  famous  wars  of  the  world.'" 
— Graphic. 

Facing  Death  ;  or,  The  Hero  of  the  Vaughan  Pit.     A  Tale  of 
the  Goal  Mines.     By  G.   A.   Henty.     With  full-page  Illustra- 
tions by  Gordon  Browne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
"Facing  Death"  is  a  story  with  a  purpose.     It  is  intended  to 
show  that  a  lad  who  makes  up  his  mind  firmly  and  resolutely  that 
he  will  rise  in  life,  and  who  is  prepared  to  face  toil   and  ridicule 
and  hardship  to  carry  out  his  determination,  is  sure  to  succeed. 
The  hero  of  the  story  is  a  typical    British   boy,  dogged,  earnest, 
generous,  and  though  "  shamefaced"  to  a  degree,  is  ready  to  face 
death  in  the  discharge  of  duty. 

"  The  tale  is  well  written  and  well  illustrated,  and  there  is  muc'  .  canty  in 
the  characters.  If  any  father,  clergyman,  or  schoolmaster  is  on  the  lookout 
for  a  good  book  to  give  as  a  present  to  a  boy  who  is  worth  his  salt,  this  is  the 
book  we  would  recommend.*''— Standard. 

Tom   Temple's  Career.     By  Horatio    Alger.     12mo,   cloth, 

price  $1.00. 

Tom  Temple,  a  bright,  self-reliant  lad,  by  the  death  of  his 
father  becomes  a  boarder  at  the  home  of  Nathan  Middleton,  a 
penurious  insurance  agent,  Though  well  paid  for  keeping  the 
boy,  Xathan  and  his  wife  endeavor  to  bring  Master  Tom  in  line 
with  their  parsimonious  habits.  The  lad  ingeniously  evades  their 
efforts  and  revolutionizes  the  household.  As  Tom  is  heir  to 
$40,000,  he  is  regarded  as  a  person  of  some  importance  until  by 
an  unfortunate  combination  of  circumstances  his  fortune  shrinks 
to  a  few  hundreds.  He  leaves  Plympton  village  to  seek  work  in 
New  York,  whence  he  undertakes  an  important  mission  to  Cali- 
fornia, around  which  center  the  most  exciting  incidents  of  his 
young  career.  Some  of  his  adventures  in  the  far  west  are  so 
startling  that  the  reader  will  scarcely  close  the  book  until  the  last 
page  shall  have  been  reached.  The  tale  is  written  in  Mr.  Alger's 
most  fascinating  style,  and  is  bound  to  please  the  very  large  class 
of  boys  who  regard  this  popular  author  as  a  prime  favorite. 


10  A,  L,  BtRTS  PUBLICATIONS. 

Maori  and  Settler :  A  Story  of  the  Xew  Zealand  War.  Bj 
Gr.  A,  Henty.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Alfred  Pearse. 
12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  Renshaws  emigrate  to  Xew  Zealand  during  the  period  of 
the  war  with  the  natives,  Wilfrid,  a  strong,  self-reliant,  coura- 
geous lad,  is  the  mainstay  of  the  household.  He  has  for  his  friend 
.Mr.  Atherton,  a  botanist  and  naturalist  of  herculean  strength  and 
unfailing  nerve  and  humor.  In  the  adventures  among  the  Maoris 
there  are  many  breathless  moments  in  which  the  odds  seem  hope- 
lessly against  the  party,  but  they  succeed  in  establishing  them- 
selves happily  in  one  of  the  pleasant  New  Zealand  valleys. 

"  Brimful  of  adventure,  of  humorous  and  interesting  conversation,  and 
vivid  pictures  of  colonial  life."— Schoolmaster. 

Julian  Mortimer  :  A  Brave  Boy's  Struggle  for  Home  and  Fortune= 
By  Harry  Castlemon.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00, 
Here  is  a  story  that  will  warm  every  boy's  heart.  There  is 
mystery  enough  to  keep  any  lad's  imagination  wound  up  to  the 
highest  pitch.  The  scene  of  the  story  lies  west  of  the  Mississippi 
river,  in  the  days  when  emigrants  made,  their  perilous  way  across 
the  great  plains  to  the  land  of  gold.  One  of  the  startling  features 
of  the  book  is  the  attack  upon  the  wagon  train  by  a  large  party  of 
Indians.  Our  hero  is  a  lad  of  uncommon  nerve  and  pluck,  a  brave 
young  Americau  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He  enlists  and  holds 
the  reader's  sympathy  from  the  outset.  Surrounded  by  an  un- 
known and  constant  peril,  and  assisted  by  the  unswerving  fidelity 
of  a  stalwart  trapper,  a  real  rough  diamond,  our  hero  achieves  the 
most  happy  results.  Harry  Castlemon  has  written  many  enter- 
taining stories  for  boys,  and  it  would  seem  almost  superfluous  to 
say  anything  in  his  praise,  for  the  youth  of  America  regard  him 
as  a  favorite  author. 

11  Carrots  : "  Just  a  Little  Boy.  By  Mrs.  Molestvorth.  With 
Illustrations  by  Walter  Craiste.     12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  One  of  the  cleverest  and  most  pleasing  stories  it  has  been  our  good  for- 
tune to  meet  with  for  some  time.  Carrots  and  his  sister  are  delightful  little 
beings,  whom  to  read  about  is  at  once  to  become  very  fond  of."— Examiner. 

"A  genuine  children's  book:  we've  seen  "em  seize  it.  and  read  it  greedily. 
Children  are  first-rate  critics,  and  thoroughly  appreciate  Walter  Crane's 
illustrations.  "—Punch. 

Mopsa   the   Fairy.     By   Jeax   Ixgelow.     With    Eight    page 

Illustrations.     12mo,  cloth,  price  To  cents. 

"  Miss  Ingelow  is,  to  our  mind,  the  most  charming  of  all  living  writers  for 
children,  and  '  Mopsa  '  alone  ought  to  give  her  a  kind  of  pre-emptive  right  to 
the  love  and  gratitude  of  our  young  folks.  It  requires  genius  to  conceive  a 
purely  imaginary  work  which  must  of  necessity  deal  with  the  supernatural, 
without  runuing  into  a  mere  riot  of  fantastic  absurdity;  but  genius  Miss  In- 
gelow has  and  the  stor}-  of  'Jack  '  is  as  careless  and  joyous,  but  as  delicate, 
as  a  picture  of  childhood."— Eclectic. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  j] 

A  Jaunt  Through  Java :  The  Story  of  a  Journey  to  the  Sacred 
Mountain.  By  Edward  S.  Ellis.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
The  central  interest  of  this  story  is  found  in  the  thrilling  ad- 
ventures  of  two  cousins,  Hermon  and  Eustace  Hadley,  on  their 
trip  across  the  island  of  Java,  from  Samarangtothe  Sacred  Moun- 
tain. In  a  land  where  the  Royal  Bengal  tiger  runs  at  large; 
where  the  rhinoceros  and  other  fierce  beasts  are  to  be  met  with 
at  unexpected  moments;  it  is  but  natural  that  the  heroes  of  this 
book  should  have  a  lively  experience.  Hermon  not  only  dis- 
tinguishes himself  by  killing  a  full  grown  tiger  at  short  range, 
but  meets  with  the  most  startling  adventure  of  the  journey. 
There  is  much  in  this  narrative  to  instruct  as  well  as  entertain  the 
reader,  and  so  deftly  has  Mr.  Ellis  used  his  material  that  theie  is 
i.ot  a  duil  page  in  the  book.  The  two  heroes  are  brave,  manly 
young  fellows,  bubbling  over  with  boyish  independence.  They 
cope  with  the  many  difficulties  that  arise  during  the  trip  in  a  fear- 
less way  that  is  bound  to  win  the  admiration  of  every  lad  who  is 
so  fortunate  as  to  read  their  adventures. 

Wrecked  on  Spider  Island;  or,  How  Ned  Rogers  Found  the 
Treasure.  By  James  Otis.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
A  "down-east"  plucky  lad  who  ships  as  cabin  boy,  not  from 
love  of  adventure,  but  because  it  is  the  only  course  remaining  by 
which  he  can  gain  a  livelihood.  While  in  his  bunk,  seasick, 
Ned  Rogers  hears  the  captain  and  mate  discussing  their  plans  for 
the  willful  wreck  of  the  brig  in  order  to  gain  the  insurance.  Once 
it  is  known  he  is  in  possession  of  the  secret  the  captain  maroons 
him  on  Spider  Island,  explaining  to  the  crew  that  the  boy  is 
afflicted  with  leprosy.  While  thus  involuntarily  playing  the  part 
of  a  Crusoe,  Ned  discovers  a  wreck  submerged"  in  the  sand,  and 
overhauling  the  timbers  for  the  purpose  of  gathering  material 
with  which  to  build  a  hut  finds  a  considerable  amount  of  treasure. 
Raising  the  wreck;  a  voyage  to  Havana  under  sail;  shipping  there 
a  crew  and  running  for  Savannah;  the  attempt  of  the  crew  to 
seize  the  little  craft  after  learning  of  the  treasure  on  board,  and, 
as  a  matter  of  course,  the  successful  ending  of  the  journey,  all 
serve  to  make  as  entertaining  a  story  of  sea-life  as  the  most 
captious  boy  could  desire. 

Geoff  and  Jim  :  A  Story  of  School  Life.     By  Ismay  Thorn.     Il- 
lustrated by  A.  Or.  Walker.     12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  This  is  a  prettily  told  story  of  the  life  spent  by  two  motherless  bairns  at 
a  small  preparatory  school.  Both  Geoff  and  Jim  are  very  lovable  characters, 
only  Jim  is  the  more  so;  and  the  scrapes  he  gets  into  and  the  trials  he  en- 
dures will,  no  doubt,  interest  a  large  circle  of  young  readers.' ''—Church 
Times. 

"  This  is  a  capital  children's  story,  the  characters  well  portrayed,  and  the 
book  tastefully  bound  and  well  illustrated.'*— Schoolmaster. 

"  Tbe  story  can  be  heartily  recommended  as  a  present  for  boys.1'— 
Standard. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


The  Castaways  ;  or,  On  the  Florida  Reefs,     By  James  Otis. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

This  tale  smacks  of  the  salt  sea.  It  is  just  the  kind  of  story 
that  the  majority  of  boys  yearn  for.  From  the  moment  that  the 
Sea  Queen  dispenses  with  the  services  of  the  tug  in  lower  New 
York  bay  till  the  breeze  leaves  her  becalmed  off  the  coast  ot 
Florida,  one  can  almost  hear  the  whistle  of  the  wind  through  her 
rigging,  the  creak  of  her  straining  cordage  as  she  heels  to  the 
leeward,  and  feel  her  rise  to  the  snow-capped  waves  which  hei 
sharp  bow  cuts  into  twin  streaks  of  foam.  Off  Marquesas  Keys 
she  floats  in  a  dead  calm.  Ben  Clark,  the  hero  of  the  story,  and 
Jake,  the  cook,  spy  a  turtle  asleep  upon  the  glassy  surface  of  the 
water.  They  determine  to  capture  him,  and  take  a  boat  for  that 
purpose,  and  just  as  they  succeed  in  catching  him  a  thick  fog 
cuts  them  off  from  the  vessel,  and  then  their  troubles  be  in. 
They  take  refuge  on  board  a  drifting  hulk,  a  storm  arises  and  they 
are  cast  ashore  upon  a  low  sandy  key.  Their  adventures  from 
this  point  cannot  fail  to  charm  the  reader.  As  a  writer  for  young 
people  Mr.  Otis  is  a  prime  favorite.  His  style  is  captivating,  and 
never  for  a  moment  does  he  allow  the  interest  to  flag.  In  "  The 
Castaways  "  he  is  at  his  best. 

Tom  Thatcher's  Fortune.     By  Hoeatio  Alger,  Jr.     12mo, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Like  all  of  Mr.  Alger's  heroes,  Tom  Thatcher  is  a  brave,  am- 
bitious, unselfish  boy.  He  supports  his  mother  and  sister  on 
meager  wages  earned  as  a  shoe-pegger  in  John  Simpson's  factory. 
The  story  begins  with  Tom's  discharge  from  the  factory,  because 
Mr.  Simpson  felt  annoyed  with  the  lad  for  interrogating  him  too 
closely  about  his  missing  father.  A  few  days  afterward  Tom 
learns  that  which  induces  him  to  start  overlandfor  California  with 
the  view  of  probing  the  family  mystery.  He  meets  with  many  ad- 
ventures. Ultimately  he  returns  to  his  native  village,  bringing  con- 
sternation to  the  soul  of  John  Simpson,  who  only  escapes  the  con- 
sequences of  his  villainy  by  making  full  restitution  to  the  man 
whose  friendship  he  had  betrayed.  The  story  is  told  in  that  en* 
tertaining  way  which  has  made  Mr.  Alger's  name  a  household 
wTord  in  so  many  homes. 

Birdie  :  A  Tale  of  Child  Life.     By  H.  L.  Chtlde-Pembertok-. 

Illustrated  by  H.  W.  Rainby.     12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  The  story  is  quaint  and  simple,  but  there  is  a  freshness  about  it  that 
makes  one  hear  again  the  ringing  laugh  and  the  cheery  shout  of  children  at 
play  which  charmed  his  earlier  years." — New  York  Express. 

Popular  Fairy  Tales.     By  the   Brothers   Grimm      Profusely 

Illustrated.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  From  first  to  last,  almost  without  exception,  these  stories  are  delightful," 
— Athenaeum. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  13 

With  Lafayette  at  Yorktown :  A  Story  of  How  Two  Boys 
Joined  the  Continental  Army.  By  James  Otis.  12lqo,  cloth, 
price  $1.00. 

The  two  boys  are  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  are  introduced 
in  August,  1781,  when  on  the  point  of  leaving  home  to  enlist  in 
Col.  Scammell's  regiment,  then  stationed  near  New  York  City. 
Their  method  of  traveling  is  on  horseback,  and  the  author  has 
given  an  interesting  account  of  what  was  expected  from  boys  in 
the  Colonial  days.  The  lads,  after  no  slight  amount  of  adventure, 
are  sent  as  messengers — not  soldiers — into  the  south  to  find  the 
troops  under  Lafayette.  Once  with  that  youthful  general  they 
are  given  employment  as  spies,  and  enter  the  British  camp, 
bringing  away  valuable  information.  The  pictures  of  camp-life 
are  carefully  drawn,  and  the  portrayal  of  Lafayette's  character  is 
thoroughly  well  done.  The  story  is  wholesome  in  tone,  as  are  all 
of  Mr.  Otis'  works.  There  is  no  lack  of  exciting  incident  which 
the  youthful  reader  craves,  but  it  is  healthful  excitement  brim- 
ming with  facts  which  every  boy  should  be  familiar  with,  and 
while  the  reader  is  following  the  adventures  of  Ben  Jaffreys  and 
Ned  Allen  he  is  acquiring  a  fund  of  historical  lore  which  will 
remain  in  his  memory  long  after  that  which  he  has  memorized 
from  text-books  has  been  forgotten. 

Lost  in  the  Canon  :  Sam  Willett's  Adventures  on  the  Great 
Colorado.  By  Alfred  R.  Calhoun.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
This  story  hinges  on  a  fortune  left  to  Sam  Willett,  the  hero, 
and  the  fact  that  it  will  pass  to  a  disreputable  relative  if  the  lad 
dies  before  he  shall  have  reached  his  majority.  The  Vigilance 
Committee  of  Hurley's  Gulch  arrest  Sam's  father  and  an  associate 
for  the  crime  of  murder.  Their  lives  depend  on  the  production 
of  the  receipt  given  for  money  paid.  This  is  in  Sam's  possession 
at  the  camp  on  the  other  side  of  the  canon.  A  messenger  is  dis- 
patched to  get  it.  He  reaches  the  lad  in  the  midst  of  a  fearful 
storm  which  floods  the  canon.  His  father's  peril  urges  Sam  to 
action.  A  raft  is  built  on  which  the  boy  and  his  friends  essay  to 
cross  the  torrent.  They  fail  to  do  so,  and  a  desperate  trip  down 
the  stream  ensues.  How  the  party  finally  escape  from  the  hor- 
rors of  their  situation  and  Sam  reaches  Hurley's  Gulch  in  the  very 
nick  of  time,  is  described  in  a  graphic  style  that  stamps  Mr.  Cal- 
houn as  a  master  of  his  art. 

Jack :  A   Topsy   Turvy   Story.      By  C.   M.  Crawley-Boeyey. 

With    upward   of   Thirty    Illustrations   by   H.    J.    A.    Miles. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  The  illustrations  deserve  particular  mention,  as  they  add  largely  to  the 
interest  of  this  amusing  volume  for  children.  Jack  falls  asleep  with  his  mind 
full  of  the  subject  of  the  fishpond,  and  is  very  much  surprised  presently  to 
find  himself  an  inhabitant  of  Waterworld,  where  he  goes  though  wonderful 
and  edifying  adventures.  A  handsome  and  pleasant  book. '"—Literary  World. 


It  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

Search  for  the  Silver  City  :  A  Tale    of  Adventure  in  Yucatan. 

By  James  Otis.     12nio,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Two  American  lads,  Teddy  W right  and  Xeal  Emery,  embark 
on  the  steam  yacht  Day  Dream  for  a  short  summer  cruise  to  the 
tropics.  Homeward  bound  the  yacht  is  destroyed  by  fire.  All 
hands  take  to  the  boats,  but  during  the  night  the  boat  is  cast  upon 
the  coast  of  Yucatan.  They  come  across  a  young  American 
named  Cummings,  who  entertains  them  wTith  the  story  of  the 
wonderful  Silver  City,  of  the  Chan  Santa  Cruz  Indians.  Cum- 
mings proposes  with  the  aid  of  a  faithful  Indian  ally  to  brave 
the  perils  of  the  swamp  and  carry  off  a  number  of  the  golden 
images  from  the  temples.  Pursued  with  relentless  vigor  for  days 
their  situation  is  desperate.  At  last  their  escape  is  effected  in  an 
astonishing  manner.  Mr.  Otis  has  built  his  story  on  an  historical 
foundation.  It  is  so  full  of  exciting  incidents  that  the  reader  is 
quite  carried  away  with  the  novelty  and  realism  of  the  narrative. 

Frank  Fowler,  the  Cash  Boy.  By  Hokatio  Alger,  Jr.   12ino, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Thrown  upon  his  own  resources  Frank  Fowler,  a  poor  boy, 
bravely  determines  to  make  a  living  for  himself  and  his  foster- 
sister  Grace.  Going  to  New  York  he  obtains  a  situation  as  cash 
boy  in  a  dry  goods  store.  He  renders  a  service  to  a  wealthy  old 
gentleman  named  Wharton,  who  takes  a  fancy  to  the  lad.  Frank, 
after  losing  his  place  as  cash  boy,  is  enticed  by  an  enemy  to  a 
lonesome  part  of  New  Jersey  and  held  a  prisoner.  This  move  re- 
coils upon  the  plotter,  for  it  leads  to  a  clue  that  enables  the  lad  to 
establish  his  real  identity.  Mr.  Alger's  stories  are  not  only  un- 
usually interesting,  but  they  convey  a  useful  lesson  of  pluck  and 
manly  independence. 

Budd  Boyd's  Triumph;  or,  the  Boy  Firm  of  Fox  Island.  By 
William  P.  Chipman.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
The  scene  of  this  story  is  laid  on  the  upper  part  of  Narragansett 
Bay,  and  the  leading  incidents  have  a  strong  salt  water  flavor. 
Owing  to  the  conviction  of  his  father  for  forgery  and  theft,  Budd 
Boyd  is  compelled  to  leave  his  home  and  strike  out  for  himself. 
Chance  brings  Budd  in  contact  with  Judd  Floyd  The  two  boys, 
being  ambitious  and  clear  sighted,  form  a  partnership  to  catch 
and  sell  fish.  The  scheme  is  successfully  launched,  but  the  un- 
expected appearance  on  the  scene  of  Thomas  Bagsley,  the  man 
whom  Budd  believes  guilty  of  the  crimes  attributed  to  his  father, 
leads  to  several  disagreeable  complications  that  nearly  caused  the 
lad's  ruin.  His  pluck  and  good  sense,  however,  carry  him  through 
his  troubles.  In  following  the  career  of  the  boy  firm  of  Boyd  & 
Floyd,  the  youthful  reader  will  find  a  useful  lesson — that  industry 
and  perseverance  are  bound  to  lead  to  ultimate  success. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  15 

The  Errand  Boy ;  or,  How  Phil  Brent  Won  Success.  By 
Horatio  Alger,  Jr.  12rno,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
The  career  of  "  The  Errand  Boy"  embraces  the  city  adventures 
of  a  smart  country  lad  who  at  an  early  age  was  abandoned  by  his 
father.  Philip  was  brought  up  by  a  kind-hearted  innkeeper 
named  Brent.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Brent  paved  the  way  for  the 
hero's  subsequent  troubles.  Accident  introduces  him  to  the 
notice  of  a  retired  merchant  in  New  York,  who  not  only  secures 
him  the  situation  of  errand  boy  but  thereafter  stands  as  his 
friend.  An  unexpected  turn  of  fortune's  wheel,  however,  brings 
Philip  and  his  father  together.  In  "The  Errand  Boy"  Philip 
Brent  is  possessed  of  the  same  sterling  qualities  so  conspicuous  in 
all  of  the  previous  creations  of  this  delightful  writer  for  our  youth. 

The  Slate  Picker  :  The  Story  of  a  Boy's  Life  in  the  Coal  Mines. 

By  Harry  Prentice.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

This  is  a  story  of  a  boy's  life  in  the  coal  mines  of  Pennsylvania. 
There  are  many  thrilling  situations,  notably  that  of  Ben  Burton's 
leap  into  the  "  lion's  mouth  " — the  yawning  shute  in  the  breakers 
— to  escape  a  beating  at  the  hands  of  the  savage  Spilkins,  the 
overseer,  Grade  Gordon  is  a  little  angel  in  rags,  Terence  O'Dowd 
is  a  manly,  sympathetic  lad,  and  Enoch  Evans,  the  miner-poet,  is 
a  big-hearted,  honest  fellow,  a  true  friend  to  all  whose  bur- 
dens seem  too  heavy  for  them  to  bear.  Ben  Burton,  the  hero,  had 
a  hard  road  to  travel,  but  by  grit  and  energy  he  advanced  step  by 
step  until  he  found  himself  called  upon  to  fill  the  position  of 
chief  engineer  of  the  Kohinoor  Coal  Company. 

A   Runaway  Brig  ;  or,  An  Accidental  Cruise.     By  James  Otis. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  A  Bunaway  Brig  "  is  a  sea  tale,  pure  and  simple,  and  that's 
where  it  strikes  a  boy's  fancy.  The  reader  can  look  out  upon 
the  wide  shimmering  sea  as  it  flashes  back  the  sunlight,  and 
imagine  himself  afloat  with  Harry  Vandyne,  Walter  Morse,  Jim 
Libby  and  that  old  shell-back,  Bob  Brace,  on  the  brig  Bonita, 
which  lands  on  one  of  the  Bahama  keys.  Finally  three  strangers 
steal  the  craft,  leaving  the  rightful  owners  to  shift  for  themselves 
aboard  a  broken-down  tug.  The  boys  discover  a  mysterious 
document  which  enables  them  to  find  a  buried  treasure,  then  a 
storm  comes  on  and  the  tug  is  stranded.  At  last  a  yacht  comes  in 
sight  and  the  party  with  the  treasure  is  taken  off  the  lonely  key. 
.The  most  exacting  youth  is  sure  to  be  fascinated  with  this  "enter- 
taining story. 

Fairy  Tales  and   Stories.     By  Hans  Christian  Andersen. 

Profusely  Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"Ifl  were  asked  to  select  a  child's  library  I  should  name  these  three  volumes 
'English,1  '  Celtic'  and  'Indian  Fairy  Tales,'  with  Grimm  and  Hans  Ander- 
sen's Fairy  Tales."— Independent. 


16  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

Tha  Island  Treasure  ;  or,  Harry  Barrel's  Fortune.     By  Frank 

H.  Converse.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Harry  Darrel,  an  orphan,  having  received  a  nautical  training  on 
a  school-ship,  is  bent  on  going  to  sea  with  a  boyish  acquaintance 
named  Dan  Plunket.  A  runaway  horse  changes  his  prospects. 
Harry  saves  Dr.  Gregg  from  drowning  and  the  doctor  presents  his 
preserver  with  a  bit  of  property  known  as  Gregg's  Island,  anr1 
makes  the  lad  sailing-master  of  his  sloop  yacht.  A  piratical  hoard 
is  supposed  to  be  hidden  somewhere  on  the  island.  After  much 
search  and  many  thwarted  plans,  at  last  Dan  discovers  the 
treasure  and  is  the  means  of  finding  Harry's  father.  Mr.  Con- 
verse's stories  possess  a  charm  of  their  own  which  is  appreciated 
by  lads  who  delight  in  good  healthy  tales  that  smack  of  salt 
water. 

The  Boy  Explorers:  The  Adventures   of  Two  Boys  in  Alaska. 

By  Harry  Prentice.     l2mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

T>vo  boys,  Raymond  and  Spencer  Manning,  travel  from  San 
Francisco  to  Alaska  to  join  their  father  in  search  of  their  uncle, 
who,  it  is  believed,  was  captured  and  detained  by  the  inhabitants 
of  a  place  railed  the  "  Heart  of  Alaska."  On  their  arrival  at 
Sitka  the  boys  with  an  Indian  guide  set  off  across  the  mountains. 
The  trip  is  fraught  with  perils  that  test  the  lads'  courage  to  the 
utmost.  Reaching  the  Yukon  River  they  build  a  raft  and  float 
down  the  stream,  entering  the  Mysterious  River,  from  which  they 
barely  escape  with  their  lives,  only  to  be  captured  by  natives  of 
the  Heart  of  Alaska.  All  through  their  exciting  adventures  the 
lads  demonstrate  what  can  be  accomplished  by  pluck  and  resolu- 
tion, and  their  experience  makes  one  of  the  most  interesting  tales 
ever  written. 

The  Treasure  Finders  :  A  Boy's  Adventures  in  Nicaragua.     By 

James  Otis.     12mo,  -cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Roy  and  Bean  Coloney,  with  their  guide  Tongla,  leave  their 
father's  indigo  plantation  to  visit  the  wonderful  ruins  of  an  ancient 
city.  The  boys  eagerly  explore  the  dismantled  temples  of  an  ex- 
tinct race  and  discover  three  golden  images  cunningly  hidden 
away.  They  escape  with  the  greatest  difficulty;  by  taking  advan- 
tage of  a  festive  gathering  they  seize  a  canoe  and  fly  down  the 
river.  Eventually  they  reach  safety  with  their  golden  prizes. 
Mr.  Otis  is  the  prince  of  story  tellers,  for  he  handles  his  material 
with  consummate  skill.  We  doubt  if  he  has  ever  written  a  more 
entertaining  story  than  "  The  Treasure  Finders." 

Household  Fairy  Tales.     By  the  Brothers  Grimm.     Profusely 

Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  As  a  collection  of  fairy  tales  to  delight  children  of  all  ages  this  work 
ranks  second  to  none.'*— Daily  Graphic. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Dan  the   Newsboy.     By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.     12mo,   cloth, 

price  $1.00. 

The  reader  is  introduced  to  Dan  Mordaunt  and  his  mother  living 
in  a  poor  tenement,  and  the  lad  is  pluckily  trying  to  make  ends 
meet  by  selling  papers  in  the  streets  of  New  York.  A  little 
heiress  of  six  years  is  confided  to  the  care  of  the  Mordaunts.  At 
the  same  time  the  lad  obtains  a  position  in  a  wholesale  house. 
He  soon  demonstrates  how  valuable  he  is  to  the  firm  by  detecting 
the  bookkeeper  in  a  bold  attempt  to  rob  his  employers.  The 
child  is  kidnaped  and  Dan  tracks  the  child  to  the  house  where 
she  is  hidden,  and  rescues  her.  The  wealthy  aunt  of  the  little 
heiress  is  so  delighted  with  Dan's  courage  and  many  good  qualities 
that  she  adopts  him  as  her  heir,  and  the  conclusion  of  the  book 
leaves  the  hero  on  the  high  road  to  every  earthly  desire. 

Tony  the  Hero  :  A  Brave  Boy's  Adventure  with  a  Tramp.  By 
Horatio  Alger,  Jr.  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 
Tony,  a  sturdy  bright-eyed  boy  of  fourteen,  is  under  the  control 
of  Rudolph  Rugg,  a  thorough  rascal,  shiftless  and  lazy,  spending 
his  time  tramping  about  the  country.  After  much  abuse  Tony 
runs  away  and  gets  a  job  as  stable  boy  in  a  country  hotel.  Tony  is 
heir  to  a  large  estate  in  England,  and  certain  persons  find  it  nec- 
essary to  produce  proof  of  the  lad's  death.  Rudolph  for  a  con- 
sideration hunts  up  Tony  and  throws  him  down  a  deep  well.  Of 
course  Tony  escapes  from  the  fate  provided  for  him,  and  by  a 
brave  act  makes  a  rich  friend,  with  whom  he  goes  to  England, 
where  he  secures  his  rights  and  is  prosperous.  The  fact  that  Mr. 
Alger  is  the  author  of  this  entertaining  book  will  at  once  recom- 
mend it  to  all  juvenile  readers. 

A   Young  Hero ;  or,  Fighting  to  Win.      By  Edward  S.  Ellis. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

This  storytells  how  a  valuable  solid  silver  service  was  stolen 
from  the  Misses  Perkinpine,  two  very  old  and  simple  minded 
ladies.  Fred  Sheldon,  the  hero  of  this  story  and  a  friend  of  the 
old  ladies,  undertakes  to  discover  the  thieves  and  have  them  ar- 
rested. After  much  time  spent  in  detective  work,  he  succeeds  in 
discovering  the  silver  plate  and  winning  the  reward  for  its  re- 
storation. During  the  narrative  a  circus  comes  to  town  and  a 
thrilling  account  of  the  escape  of  the  lion  from  its  cage,  with  its 
recapture,  is  told  in  Mr.  Ellis'  most  fascinating  style.  Every 
boy  wall  be  glad  to  read  this  delightful  book. 

The  Days  of  Bruce:  A  Story  from  Scottish  History.     By  Grace 

Aguilar.     Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"There  is  a  delightful  freshness,  sincerity  and  vivacity  about  all  of  Grace 
Aguilar's  stories  which  cannot  fail  to  win  the  interest  and  admiration  of 
every  lover  of  good  reading."—  Boston  Beacon, 


IS  A    L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

Tom  the  B  :)otblack  ;  or,  The  Road  to  Success.       By  Horatio 

Alger,  Jr.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  bright,  enterprising  lad  was  Tom  the  bootblack.  He  was 
not  at  all  ashamed  of  his  humble  calling,  though  always  on  the 
lookout  to  better  himself.  His  guardian,  old  Jacob  Morton,  died, 
leaving  him  a  small  sum  of  money  and  a  written  confession  that 
Tom,  instead  of  being  of  humble  origin,  was  the  son  and  heir  of 
a  deceased  Western  merchant,  and  had  been  defrauded  out  of  his 
just  rights  by  an  unscrupulous  uncle.  The  lad  started  for  Cin- 
cinnati to  look  up  his  heritage.  But  three  years  passed  away 
before  he  obtained  his  first  clue.  Mr.  Grey,  the  uncle,  did  not 
hesitate  to  employ  a  ruffian  to  kill  the  lad.  The  plan  failed,  and 
Gilbert  Grey,  once  Tom  the  bootblack,  came  into  a  comfortable 
fortune.     This  is  one  of  Mr.  Alger's  best  stories. 

Captured  by  Zulus  :  A  story  of  Trapping  in  Africa.     By  Harry 

Prentice.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.C0. 

This  story  details  the  adventures  of  two  lads,  Dick  Els  worth 
and  Bob  Harvey,  in  the  wilds  of  South  Africa,  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  a  supply  of  zoological  curiosities.  By  stratagem  the 
Zulus  capture  Dick  and  Bob  and  take  them  to  their  principal 
kraal  or  village.  The  lads  escape  death  by  digging  their  way 
out  of  the  prison  hut  by  night.  They  are  pursued,  and  after  a 
rough  experience  the  boys  eventually  rejoin  the  expedition  and 
take  part  in  several  wild  animal  hunts.  The  Zulus  finally  give 
up  pursuit  and  the  expedition  arrives  at  the  coast  without  further 
trouble.  Mr.  Prentice  has  a  delightful  method  of  blending  fact 
with  fiction.  He  tells  exactly  how  wild-beast  collectors  secure 
specimens  on  their  native  stamping  grounds,  and  these  descrip- 
tions make  very  entertaining  reading. 

Tom   the   Ready  ;  or,  Up   from  the  Lowest.      By   Randolph 

Hill.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

This  is  a  dramatic  narrative  of  the  unaided  rise  of  a  fearless, 
ambitious  boy  from  the  lowest  round  of  fortune's  ladder — the 
gate  of  the  poorhouse — to  wealth  and  the  governorship  of  his 
native  State.  Thomas  Seacomb  begins  life  with  a  purpose.  While 
yet  a  schoolboy  he  conceives  and  presents  to  the  world  the  germ 
of  the  Overland  Express  Co.  At  the  very  outset  of  his  career 
jealousy  and  craft  seek  to  blast  his  promising  future.  Later  }  a 
sets  out  to  obtain  a  charter  for  a  railroad  line  in  connection  wich 
the  express  busiuess.  Xow  he  realizes  what  it  is  to  match  him- 
self against  capital,  let  he  wins  and  the  railroad  is  built.  Only 
an  uncommon  nature  like  Tom's  could  successfully  oppose  such  a 
combine.  How  he  manages  to  win  the  battle  is  told  by  Mr.  Hill 
in  a  masterful  way  that  thrills  the  reader  and  holds  his  attention 
and  sympathy  to  the  end. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  19 

Roy  Gilbert's  Search:  A  Tale  of  the  Great  Lakes.     By  Wm.  P. 

Chipman.     12ino,  clotli,  price  $1.00. 

A  deep  mystery  hangs  over  the  parentage  of  Roy  Gilbert. 
He  arranges  with  two  schoolmates  to  make  a  tour  of  the 
Great  Lakes  on  a  steam  launch.  The  three  boys  leave  Erie  on 
the  launch  and  visit  many  points  of  interest  on  the  lakes.  Soon 
afterward  the  lad  is  conspicuous  in  the  rescue  of  an  elderly  gentle- 
man and  a  lady  from  a  sinking  yaclit.  Later  on  the  cruise  of  the 
launch  is  brought  to  a  disastrous  termination  and  the  boys  nar- 
rowly escape  with  their  lives.  The  hero  is  a  manly,  self-reliant 
boy, "whose  adventures  will  be  followed  with  interest. 

The  Young  Scout;   The  Story  of  a  West  Point  Lieutenant.     By 
Edwaed  S.  Ellis.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  crafty  Apache  chief  Geronimo  but  a  few  years  ago  was  the 
most  terrible  scourge  of  the  southwest  border.  The  author  has 
woven, in  a  tale  of  thrilling  interest,  all  the  incidents  of  Geronimo's 
last  raid.  The  hero  is  Lieutenant  James  Decker,  a  recent  graduate 
of  West  Point.  Ambitious  to  distinguish  himself  so  as  to  win 
well-deserved  promotion,  the  young  man  takes  many  a  desperate 
chance  against  the  enemy  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  nar- 
rowly escapes  with  his  life.  The  story  naturally  abounds  in 
thrilling  situations,  and  being  historically  correct,  it  is  reasonable 
to  believe  it  will  find  great  favor  with  the  boys.  In  our  opinion 
Mr.  Ellis  is  the  best  writer  of  Indian  stories  now  before  the 
public. 

Adrift  in   the  Wilds  :     The  Adventures  of   Two    Shipwreckei 
Boys.     By  Edward  S.  Ellis.     12mo,  cloth,  price,  $1.00. 

Elwood  Brandon  and  Howard  Lawrence,  cousins  and  school- 
mates, accompanied  by  a  lively  Irishman  called  O'Rooney,  are  en 
route  for  San  Francisco.  Off  the  coast  of  California  the  steamer 
takes  fire.  The  two  boys  and  their  companion  reach  the  shore 
with  several  of  the  passengers.  While  O'Rooney  and  the  lads 
are  absent  inspecting  the  neighborhood  O'Rooney  has  an  excit- 
ing experience  and  young  Brandon  becomes  separated  from  his 
party.  He  is  captured  by  hostile  Indians,  but  is  rescued  by  an 
Indian  whom  the  lad'o  had  assisted.  This  is  a  very  entertaining 
narrative  of  Southern  California  in  the  days  immediately  preced- 
ing the  construction  of  the  Pacific  railroads.  Mr.  Ellis  seems  to 
be  particularly  happy  in  this  line  of  fiction,  and  the  present  story 
is  fully  as  entertaining  as  anything  he  has  ever  written. 

The  Red  Fairy  Book.     Edited  by  Andrew  Laxg.     Profusely 

Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  A  gift-book  that  will  charm  any  child,  and  all  older  folk  who  have  been 
fortunate  enough  to  retain  their  taste  for  the  old  nursery  stories.'"— Literary 
World- 


20  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

The  Boy  Cruisers;  or,   Paddling  in  Florida.      By   St.  George 

Rathborne.     12nio,  cloth,  price,  $1.00. 

Boys  who  like  an  admixture  of  sport  and  adventure  will  find 
this  book  just  to  their  taste.  We  promise  them  that  they  will 
not  go  to  sleep  over  the  rattling  experiences  of  Andrew  George 
aud  Roland  Carter,  who  start  on  a  canoe  trip  along  the  Gulf 
roast,  from  Key  West  to  Tampa,  Florida.  Their  first  adventure 
is  with  a  pair  of  rascals  who  steal  their  boats.  Next  they  run 
into  a  gale  in  the  Gulf  and  have  a  lively  experience  while  it  lasts. 
After  that  they  have  a  lively  time  with  alligators  and  divers 
varieties  of  the  finny  tribe.  Andrew  gets  into  trouble  with  a 
band  of  Seminole  Indians  and  gets  away  without  having  his 
scalp  raised.  After  this  there  is  no  lack  of  fun  till  they 
reach  their  destination.  That  Mr.  Rathborne  knows  just  how  to 
interest  the  boys  is  apparent  at  a  glance,  and  lads  who  are  in 
search  of  a  rare  treat  will  do  well  to  read  this  entertaining  story. 

Guy  Harris:    The   Runaway.     By  Harry  Castlemon.     12mo, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Guy  Harris  lived  in  a  small  city  on  the  shore  of  one  of  the 
Great  Lakes.  His  head  became  filled  with  quixotic  notions  of 
going  West  to  hunt  grizzlies,  in  fact,  Indians.  He  is  per- 
suaded to  go  to  sea,  and  gets  a  glimpse  of  the  rough  side  of  life 
in  a  sailor's  boarding  house.  He  ships  on  a  vessel  and  for  five 
months  leads  a  hard  life.  He  deserts  his  ship  at  San  Francisco 
and  starts  out  to  become  a  backwoodsman,  but  rough  experiences 
soon  cure  him  of  all  desire  to  be  a  hunter.  At  St.  Louis  he  be- 
comes a  clerk  and  for  a  time  he  yields  to  the  temptations  of  a 
great  city.  The  book  will  not  only  interest  boys  generally  on 
account  of  its  graphic  style,  but  will  put  many  facts  before  their 
eyes  in  a  new  light.  This  is  one  of  Castlemon's  most  attractive 
stories. 

The  Train  Boy.     By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr.     12mo,  cloth,  price 

$1.00. 

Paul  Palmer  was  a  wide-awake  boy  of  sixteen  who  supported 
his  mother  and  sister  by  selling  books  and  papers  on  one  of  th  > 
trains  running  between  Chicago  and  Milwaukee.  He  detects  «■ 
young  man  named  Luke  Denton  in  the  act  of  picking  the  pocfeo* 
of  a  young  lady,  and  also  incurs  the  enmity  of  his  brother  Ste- 
phen, a  worthless  follow.  Luke  and  Stephen  plot  to  ruin  Paul, 
but  their  plans  are  frustrated.  In  a  railway  accident  many  pas- 
sengers are  killed,  but  Paul  is  fortunate  enough  to  assist  a  Chicago 
merchant,  who  out  of  gratitude  takes  him  into  his  employ.  Paul 
is  sent  to  manage  a  mine  in  Custer  City  and  executes  his  com- 
mission with  tact  and  judgment  and  is  well  started  on  the  road 
to  business  prominence.  This  is  one  of  Mr.  Alger's  most  attrac- 
tive stories  and  is  sure  to  please  all  readers 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  CI 


Joe's  Luck  :  A  Boy's  Adventures  in  California.  By  Horatio 
Alger,  Jr.     12ino,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Without  a  doubt  Joe  Mason  was  a  lucky  boy,  but  he  deserved 
the  golden  chances  that  fell  to  his  lot,  for  he  had  the  pluck  and 
ambition  to  push  himself  to  the  front.  Joe  had  but  one  dollar  in 
the  world  when  he  stood  despondently  on  the  California  Mail 
Steamship  Co  s  dock  in  New  York  watching  the  preparations  in- 
cident to  the  departure  of  the  steamer.  The  same  dollar  was 
still  Joe  s  entire  capital  when  he  landed  in  the  bustling  town  of 
tents  and  one-story  cabins— the  San  Francisco  of  '51,  and  inside 
ot  the  week  the  boy  was  proprietor  of  a  small  restaurant  earning-  a 
comfortable  profit.  The  story  is  chock  full  of  stirring  incidents 
while  the  amusing  situations  are  furnished  by  Joshua  Bickford' 
from  Pumpkin  Hollow,  and  the  fellow  who  modestly  styles  him- 
self the  "Rip-tail  Roarer,  from  Pike  Co.,  Missouri."  Mr  Ale-er 
never  writes  a  poor  book,  and  "Joe's  Luck"  is  certainly  one  of 
his  best.  J 

Three  Bright  Girls  :  A  Story  of  Chance  and  Mischance.  By 
Annie  E.  Armstrong.  With  full  page  Illustrations  by  W. 
Parkinson.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

By  a  sudden  turn  of  fortune's  wheel  the  three  heroines  of  this 
story  are  brought  down  from  a  household  of  lavish  comfort  to 
meet  the  incessant  cares  and  worries  of  those  who  have  to  eke  out 
a  very  limited  income.  And  the  charm  of  the  story  lies  in  the 
cheery  helpfulness  of  spirit  developed  in  the  girls  by  their  changed 
circumstances;  while  the  author  finds  a  pleasant  ending  to  all 
their  happy  makeshifts.  ° 

as'^eS?  ^^Ln^T*  ""  **  ^  be  ™m*  -commended 

Giannetta :  A  Girl's  Story  of  Herself.  By  Rosa  Mulholland. 
With  full-page  Illustrations  by  Lockhart  Bogle.  12mo 
cloth,  price  $1.00. 

The  daughter  of  a  gentleman,  who  had  married  a  poor  Swiss 
girl,  was  stolen  as  an  infant  by  some  of  her  mother's  relatives. 
I  he  child  having  died,  they  afterward  for  the  sake  of  gain  sub- 
stitute another  child  for  it,  and  the  changeling,  after  becoming 
a  clever  modeler  of  clay  images,  is  suddenly  transferred  to  the 
position  of  a  rich  heiress.  She  develops  into  a  good  and  accom- 
plished woman,  and  though  the  imposture  of  her  early  friends  is 
finally  discovered,  she  has  gained  too  much  love  and  devotion  to 
be  really  a  sufferer  by  the  surrender  of  her  estates 


BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Margery  Merton's  Girlhood.  By  Alice  Corkran.  With  full- 
page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.  12lqo,  cloth,  price 
$1.00. 

The  experiences  of  an  orphan  girl  who  in  infancy  is  left  by  her 
father — an  officer  in  India — to  the  care  of  an  elderly  aunt  residing 
near  Paris.  The  accounts  of  the  various  persons  who  have  an 
after  influence  on  the  story,  the  school  companions  of  M.irgery, 
the  sisters  of  the  Conventual  College  of  Art,  the  professor,  and 
the  peasantry  of  Fontainebleau,  are  singularly  vivid.  There  is  a 
subtle  attraction  about  the  book  which  will  make  it  a  great  favorite 
with  thoughtful  girls. 

"  Another  book  for  girls  we  can  warmly  commend.  There  is  a  delightful 
piquancy  in  the  experiences  and  trials  of  a  young  English  girl  who  studies 
painting  in  Paris.'n— Saturday  Review. 

Under  False  Colors :  A  Story  from  Two  Girls'  Lives.  By 
Sarah  Doudney.  With  full-page  Illustrations  by  G.  G.  Kil- 
burne.     12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

A  story  which  has  in  it  so  strong  a  dramatic  element  that  it 
will  attract  readers  of  all  ages  and  of  either  sex.  The  incidents 
of  the  plot,  arising  from  the  thoughtless  indulgence  of  a  decep- 
tive freak,  are  exceedingly  natural,  and  the  keen  interest  of  the 
narrative  is  sustained  from  beginning  to  end. 

"Sarah  Doudney  has  no  superior  as  a  writer  of  high-toned  stories— pure 
in  style,  original  in  conception,  and  with  skillfully  wrought  out  plots;  but 
we  have  seen  nothing  equal  in  dramatic  energy  to  this  book.'1— Christian 
Leader. 

Down  the  Snow  Stairs ;  or,  From  Good-night  to  Good-morning. 

By  Alice  Corkran.    With  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

This  is  a  remarkable  story:  full  of  vivid  fancy  and  quaint 
originality.  In  its  most  fantastic  imaginings  it  carries  with  it  a 
sense  of  reality,  and  derives  a  singular  attraction  from  that  con>- 
bination  of  simplicity,  originality,  and  subtle  humor,  which  is  so 
much  appreciated  by  lively  and  thoughtful  children.  Children 
of  a  larger  growth  will  also  be  deeply  interested  in  Kitty's  strange 
journey,  and  her  wonderful  experiences. 

"Among  all  the  Christmas  volumes  which  the  year  has  brought  to  our 
table  this  one  stands  out  facile  princeps—a  gem  of  the  first  water,  bearing 
upon  every  one  of  its  pages  the  signet  mark  of  genius.  .  .  .  All  is  told 
with  such  simplicity  and  perfect  naturalness  that  the  dream  appears  to  be  a 
solid  reality.    It  is  indeed  a  Little  Pilgrim's  Progress.'"— Christian  Leader. 

The  Tapestry  Room:  A  Child's  Romance.  By  Mrs.  Moles- 
worth.  Illustrated  by  Walter  Crane.  12mo,  cloth,  price 
75  cents. 

*'  Mrs.  Molesworth  is  a  charming  painter  of  the  nature  and  ways  of  children ; 
and  she  has  done  good  service  in  giving  us  this  charming  juvenile  which  will 
delight  the  young  people. "—Athenaeum,  London. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 


Little  Miss  Peggy  :  Only  a  Nursery  Story.  By  Mrs.  Moles- 
worth:. With  Illustrations  by  Walter  Crane.  12uio,  cloth, 
price  75  cents. 

Mrs.  Molesworth's  cliildren  are  finished  studies.  She  is  never 
sentimental,  but  writes  common  sense  in  a  straightforward  man- 
ner. A  joyous  earnest  spirit  pervades  her  work,  and  her  sym- 
pathy is  unbounded.  She  loves  them  with  her  whole  heart, 
while  she  lays  bare  their  little  minds,  and  expresses  their  foibles, 
their  faults,  their  virtues,  their  inward  struggles,  their  concep- 
tion of  duty,  and  tbeir  instinctive  knowledge  of  the  right  and 
wrong  of  things.  She  knows  their  characters,  she  understands 
their  wants,  and  she  desires  to  help  them. 

Polly:  A  New  Fashioned  Girl.     By  L.  T.  Meade.     Illustrated 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

Few  authors  have  achieved  a  popularity  equal  to  Mrs.  Meade 
as  a  writer  of  stories  for  young  girls.  Her  characters  are  living 
beings  of  flesh  and  blood,  not  lay  figures  of  conventional  type. 
Into  the  trials  and  crosses,  and  everyday  experiences,  the  reader 
enters  at  once  with  zest  and  hearty  sympathy.  While  Mrs. 
Meade  always  writes  with  a  high  moral  purpose,  ber  lessons  of 
life,  purity  and  nobility  of  character  are  rather  inculcated  by 
example  than  intruded  as  sermons. 

Rosy.     By  Mrs.  Molesworth.     Illustrated  by  Walter  Crane. 

12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

Mrs.  Molesworth,  considering  the  quality  and  quantity  of  her 
labors,  is  the  best  story-teller  for  children  England  has  yet 
known.  This  is  a  bold  statement  and  requires  substantiation. 
Mrs.  Molesworth,  during  the  last  six  years,  has  never  failed  to 
occupy  a  prominent  place  among  the  juvenile  writers  of  the 
season. 

"  A  very  pretty  story.  .  .  .  The  writer  knows  children  and  their  ways 
well.    .    .    .    The  illustrations  are  exceedingly  well  drawn."— Spectator. 

Little    Sunshine's    Holiday:  A   Picture   from    Life.     By    Miss 

Mttlock.     Illustrated  by  Walter  Crane.     12mo,  cloth,  price 

75  cents. 

"  This  is  a  pretty  narrative  of  haby  life,  describing  the  simple  doings  and 
savings  of  a  verv  charming  and  rather  precocious  child  nearly  three  years 
old."— Patt  Mall  Gazette. 

4i  Will  be  delightful  to  those  who  have  nurseries  peopled  by  '  Little  Sun- 
shines '  of  their  own.11— Athenaeum. 

Esther  :  A  Book  for  Girls.     By  Bosa  N.  Carey.     Illustrated, 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  She  inspires  her  readers  simply  by  bringing  them  in  contact  with  the 
characters,  who  are  in  themselves  inspiring  Her  simple  stories  are  w~ven 
in  order  to  give  her  an  opportunity  to  describe  her  characters  by  thei  own 
conduct  in  seasons  of  trial  "—Chicago  Times. 


24  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

Sweet  Content.  By  Mrs.  Molesworth.  Illustrated  by  W. 
Rainey.     12tno,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  It  seems  to  me  not  at  all  easier  to  draw  a  lifelike  child  than  to  draw  a 
lifelike  man  or  woman:  Shakespeare  and  Webster  were  the  only  two  men  of 
their  age  who  could  do  it  with  perfect  delicacy  and  success.  Our  own  age  is 
more  fortunate,  on  this  single  score  at  least,  having  a  larger  and  far  nobler 
proportion  of  female  writers;  among  whom,  since  the  death  of  George  Eliot, 
there  is  none  left  whose  touch  is  so  exquisite  and  masterly,  whose  love  is  so 
thoroughly  according  to  knowledge,  whose  bright  and  sweet  invention  is  so 
fruitful,  so  truthful,  or  so  delightful  as  Mrs.  Molesworth."— A.  C.  Swinburne. 

One  of  a  Covey.  By  the  Author  of  "Honor  Bright,"  "Miss 
Toosey's  Mission."  With  Numerous  Illustrations  by  H.  J.  A. 
Miles.     12tno,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  Full  of  spirit  and  life,  so  well  sustained  throughout  that  grown-up  readers 
may  enjoy  it  as  much  as  children.  This  '  Covey  '  consists  of  the  twelve 
children  of  a  hard-pressed  Dr.  Partridge,  out  of  which  is  chosen  a  little  giri 
to  be  adopted  by  a  spoilt,  fine  lady.  .  .  .  It  is  one  of  the  best  books  of  the 
season. ' ' — Guardian. 

"  We  have  rarely  read  a  story  for  boys  and  girls  with  greater  pleasure. 
One  of  the  chief  characters  would  not  have  disgraced  Dickens'  pen."— 
Literary  World. 

The  Little  Princess  of  Tower  Hill.  By  L.  T.  Meade.  Illus- 
trated, 12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  This  is  one  of  the  prettiest  books  for  children  published,  as  pretty  as  a 
pond-lily,  and  quite  as  f  ragraut.  Nothing  could  be  imagined  more  attractive 
to  young  people  than  such  a  combination  of  fresh  pages  and  fair  pictures; 
and  while  children  wiU  rejoice  over  it — which  is  much  better  than  crying  for 
it— it  is  a  book  that  can  be  read  with  pleasure  even  by  older  boys  and  girls.'11 
—Boston  Advertiser. 

Honor  Bright  ;  or,  The  Four- Leaved  Shamrock.     By  the  Author 

of    "One   of   a   Covey,"  "Miss   Toosey's   Mission,"    etc.,    etc. 

With  full-page  Illustrations,  12ino,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  It  requires  a  special  talent  to  describe  the  sayings  and  doings  of  children, 
and  the  author  of  'Honor  Bright,1  'One  of  a  Covey,'' possesses  that  talent 
in  no  small  degree." — Literary  Churchman. 

"A  cheery,  sensible,  and  healthy  tale.'" — The  Times. 

The  Cuckoo  Clock.     By  Mrs.    Molesworth.     With   Illustra- 
tions by  Walter  Cranes.     12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"A  beautiful  little  story.  It  will  be  read  with  delight  by  every  child  into 
whose  hands  it  is  placed.  .  .  .  The  author  deserves  all  the  praise  that  has 
been,  is,  and  will  be  bestowed  on  '  The  Cuckoo  Clock.'  Children's  stories  are 
plentiful,  but  one  like  this  is  not  to  be  met  with  every  day."— Pa 11  Mall 
Gazette. 

Girl  Neighbors ;  or,  The  Old  Fashion  and  the  New.     By  Sarah 

Tytler.     With   full-page   Illustrations   by  C.  T.    Garland. 

12nio,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  One  of  the  most  effective  and  quietly  humorous  of  Miss  Tytler's  stories. 
'  Girl  Neighbors  '  is  a  pleasant  comedy ,"not  so  much  of  errors  as  of  preju- 
dices got  rid  of,  very  healthy,  very  agreeable,  and  very  well  written."-— 
Spectator. 


A.  L.  BCRT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  25 


Th;    Little    Lame   Prince.      By  Miss  Mulock.      Illustrated, 

cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  No  sweeter — that  is  the  proper  word — Christmas  story  for  the  little  folks 
20uld  easily  be  found,  and  it  is  as  delightful  for  older  readers  as  well.  There 
is  a  moral  to  it  which  the  reader  can  find  out  for  himself,  if  he  chooses  to 
think. "—Herald,  Cleveland. 

The  Adventures  'of  a  Brownie.     As   Told  to  my   Child.     By 

Miss  Mulock.     Illustrated,  12nio,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"The  author  of  this  delightful  little  book  leaves  it  in  doubt  all  through 
whether  there  actually  is  such  a  creature  in  existence  as  a  Brownie,  but  she 
makes  us  hope  that  there  might  be."— Standard,  Chicago. 

Only  a  Girl  :  A  Story  of  a   Quiet   Life.     A   Tale   of   Brittany. 

Adapted  from  the   the   French  by  C.  A.  Jones.     Illustrated, 

12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  We  can  thoroughly  recommend  this  brightly  written  and  homely  narra- 
rative.11— Saturday  Review. 

Little  Rosebud  ;  or,  Things  Will  Take  a  Turn.     By  Beatrice 

Harraden.     Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  A  most  delightful  little  book.  .  .  .  Miss  Harraden  is  so  bright,  so 
healthy,  and  so  natural  withal  that  the  book  ought,  as  a  matter  of  duty,  to 
be  added  to  every  girl*s  library  in  the  land.'"— Boston  Transcript. 

Little    Miss   Joy.     By  Emma  Marshall.     Illustrated,    12mo, 

doth,  price  75  cents. 

"  A  very  pleasant  and  instructive  story,  told  by  a  very  charming  writer  iB 
such  an  attractive  way  as  to  win  favor  among  its  young  readers.  The  illus- 
trations add  to  the  beauty  of  the  book.11— Utica  Herald. 

Little  Lucy's  Wonderful  Globe.     By  Charlotte  M.  Yonge. 

Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  This  story  is  unique  among  tales  intended  for  children,  alike  for  pleasant 
instruction,  quaintness  of  humor,  gentle  pathos,  and  the  subtlety  with  which 
lessons  moral  and  otherwise  are  conveyed  to  children,  and  perhaps  to  theii 
seniors  as  well.11 — The  Spectator. 

Joan's  Adventures  at   the  North    Pole   and   Elsewhere.     By 

Alice  Corkran.     Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

"  Wonderful  as  the  adventures  of  Joan  are,  it  must  be  admitted  that  they 
are  very  naturally  worked  out  and  very  plausibly  presented.  Altogether 
this  is  an  excellent  story  for  girls.11 — Saturday  Review. 

Count  Up  the  Sunny  Days  :  A  Story  for   Boys   and  Girls.     By 

C  A.  Jones.     With  full-page  Illustrations,  12ino,  cloth,  price 

75  cents. 

"An  unusually  good  children's  story.11— Glasgow  Herald. 
Sue  and  I.     By  Mrs.  O'Reilly.     Illustrated,  12nio,  cloth,  price 

75  cents. 

"  A  thoroughly  delightful  book,  full  of  bound  wisdom  as  well  as  fun.11- 
Athenceum. 


26  A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS. 

Alice's    Adventures  in   Wonderland.      By    Lewis    Carroll. 

With  42  Illustrations  by  John  Tenniel.     12rno,  cloth,  price 

75  cents. 

"  From  first  to  last,  almost  without  exception,  this  story  is  delightfully 
droll,  humorous  and  illustrated  in  harmony  with  the  story." — New  York 
Express. 

Celtic  Fairy  Tales.     Edited  by  Joseph  Jacobs.     Illustrated  by 
J.  D.  Batten.     12rnos  cloth,  preic  $1.00. 

"  A  stock  of  delightful  little  narratives  gathered  chiefly  from  the  Celtic 
speaking  peasants  of  Ireland.*1— Daily  Telegraph. 

'"A  perfectly  lovely  book.  And  oh!  the  wonderful  pictures  inside.  Get 
this  book  if  you  can;  it  is  capital,  all  through.**— Pall  Mall  Budget. 

English  Fairy  Tales.     Edited  by  Joseph  Jacobs.     Illustrated 
by  J.  D.  Batten.     12rno,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"The tales  are  simply  delightful.  No  amount  of  description  can  do  them 
justice.  The  only  way  is  to  read  the  book  through  from  cover  to  cover. " — 
Magazine  and  Book  Review. 

"The  book  is  intended  to  correspond  to  *  Grimm's  Fairy  Tales.'  and  it  must 
be  allowed  that  its  pages  fairly  rival  in  interest  those  of  the  weU-known  re- 
pository of  folk-lore.'" — Sydney  Morning  Herald. 

Indian  Fairy  Tales.     Edited  by  Joseph  Jacobs.     Illustrated  by 
J.  D   Batten.     12rno,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  Mr.  Jacobs  brings  home  to  us  in  a  clear  and  intelligible  manner  the  enor- 
mous influence  which  '  Indian  Fairy  Tales  "  have  had  upon  European  litera- 
ture of  the  kind.*" — Gloucester  Journal. 

"  Tbe  present  combination  will  be  welcomed  not  alone  by  the  little  ones  for 
whom  it  is  specially  combined,  but  also  by  children  of  larger  growth  and 
added  yeavs.''— Daily  Telegraph. 

The  Blue  Fairy  Book.     Edited  by  Andrew  Lang.     Profusely 

Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"The  tales  are  simply  delightful.  No  amount  of  description  can  do  them 
justice.  The  only  way  is  to  read  the  book  through  from  cover  to  cover.*"— 
Magazine  and  Book  Review. 

The  Green  Fairy  Book.     Edited  by  Andrew  Lang.     Profusely 
Illustrated,  12ino,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

• '  The  most  delightful  book  of  fairy  tales,  taking  form  and  contents  to 
gether,  ever  presented  to  children."— E.  S.  Hartlaxd,  in  Folk-Lore. 

The  Yellow  Fairy  Book.    Edited  by  Andrew  Lang.    Profusely 

Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"Asa  collection  of  fairy  tales  to  delight  children  of  all  ages  ranks  second 
to  Done."' — Daily  Graphic  (with  illustrations). 

Through  the  Looking  Glass,  and    What  Alice  Found  There. 

By  Lewis  Carroll.    With  50  Illustrations  by  John  Tenniel. 

"A  delight  alike  to  the  young  people  and  their  elders,  extremely  funny 
both  in  text  and  illustrations.*"— Boston  Express. 


A.  L.  BURT'S  PUBLICATIONS.  27 

The  Heir  of  Redclyffe.     By  Charlotte  M.  Yoxge.     Illustrated, 
l2ino,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

'A  narrative  full  of  interest  from  first  to  last.  It  is  told  clearly  and  in  a 
straightforward  manner  and  arrests  the  attention  of  the  reader  at  once,  so 
that  one  feels  afresh  the  unspeakable  pathos  of  the  story  to  the  end.11— 
London  Graphic. 

The  Dove  in  the  Eagle's  Nest.     By  Charlotte  M.  Yonge. 

Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  Si. 00. 

"Among  all  the  modern  writers  we  believe  Miss Yonge  first,  not  in  genius 
hut  in  this,  that  she  employs  her  great  abilities  for  a  high  and  noble  purpose 
We  know  of  few  modern  writers  whose  works  may  be  so  safely  commended 
as  hers.'' — Cleveland  Times. 

A  Sweet  Girl  Graduate.    By  L.  T.  Meade.     Illustrated,  121110, 

cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  One  of  this  popular  author's  best.  The  characters  are  well  imagined  and 
drawn.  The  story  moves  with  plenty  of  spirit  and  the  interest  does  not  flag 
until  the  end  too  quickly  comes.1*—  Providence  Journal. 

The  Palace  Beautiful  :  A  Story   for  Girls,     By  L.  T.  Meade. 

Illustrated,  cloth,  12rao,  price  $1.00. 

"  A  bright  and  interesting  story.  The  many  admirers  of  Mrs.  L.  T.  Meade 
in  this  country  will  be  delighted  with  the  '  Palace  Beautiful '  for  more  reasons 
than  one.11 — Neio  York  Recorder. 

A  World  of  Girls  :  The  Story  of  a  School.     By  L.  T.  Meade. 

Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  One  of  those  wholesome  stories  which  it  does  one  good  to  read.  It  wili 
afford  pure  delight  to  her  numerous  readers.11— Boston  Home  Journal. 

The  Lady  of  the  Forest :  A  Story  for  Girls.     By  L.  T.  Meade. 

Illustrated,  l2mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  This  story  is  written  in  the  author's  well-known,  fresh  and  easy  style. 
All  girls  fond  of  reading  will  be  charmed  by  this  well- written  story.  It  is 
fcold  with  the  author's  customary  grace  and  spirit.11 — Boston  Times. 

At  the  Back  of  the  North  Wind.     By  George  Macdoxald. 

Illustrated  hy  George  Groves,  12ino,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"A  very  pretty  story,  with  much  of  the  freshness  and  vigor  of  Mr.  Mac- 
ionald's  earlier'work.  .  .  .  It  is  a  sweet,  earnest,  and  wholesome  fairy 
story,  and  the  quaint  native  humor  is  delightful.  A  most  delightful  volume 
for  young  readers.11— Philadelphia  Times. 

The  Water  Babies  :  A  Fairy  Tale  for  a  Land  Baby.  By  Charles 

Klkgsley.     Illustrated,  12mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00. 

"  The  strength  of  his  work,  as  well  as  its  peculiar  charms,  consist  in  his 
description  of  the  experiences  of  a  youth  with  life  under  water  in  the  luxu- 
riant wealth  of  which  he  revels  with  all  the  ardor  of  a  poetical  nature.'1— 
New  York  Tribune. 


The  "Little  Men"  Series. 

Uniform  Cloth  Binding, 
Profusely  Illustrated. 

PRICE    75    CENTS    PER    COPY. 

This  series  of  books  have  been  selected 
from  the  writings  of  a  large  number  of 
popular  authors  of  juvenile  stories,  and  are 
particularly  adapted  to  interest  and  supply 
attractive  reading  for  young  boys.  The  books 
are  profusely  illustrated,  and  any  one  seek- 
ing to  find  a  book  to  give  a  young  boy  can- 
not make  a  mistake  by  selecting  from  the 
following  list  of  titles. 


Black  Beauty.  The  Autobiography  of  a  Horse.  By  Anna. 
Sewell.     Illustrated   cloth,  price  75  cents. 

Carrots:  Just  a  Little  Boy.  By  Mrs.  Molesworth.  Illus- 
trated, cloth,  price  75  cents. 

Chunk,  Fusky  and  Snout.  A  Story  of  Wild  Pigs  for 
Little  People.     By  Gerald  Young.    Ill  us.,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

Daddy's  Boy.  By  L.  T.  Meade.  Illus.,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

Geoff  and  Jim.  A  Story  of  School  Life.  By  Ismay 
Thorn.     Illustrated,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

Jackanapes.  By  Juliana  Horatia  Ewing.  Illustrated, 
cloth,  price  75  ce  ts. 

Jack:  A  Topsy  Turvy  Story.  By  C.  M.  Crawley-Boeve^. 
Illustrated,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

Larry's  Luck.  By  the  author  of  "  Miss  Toos^y's  Mission," 
,:  Tom's  Opinion,"  "One  of  a  Covey,"  etc.  Illustrated,  cloth, 
price  75  cents. 

3Iopsa  the  Fairy.  By  Jean  Ingelow.  Illustrated 
cloth,  price  75  cents. 

Peter  the  Pilgrim.  The  Story  of  a  Boy  and  His  Pet  Hab 
bit.  By  L.  T.  Meade.  Illustrated  by  Gordon  Browne,  cloth,  prico 
75  cents. 

Tom's  Opinion.  By  the  author  of  "Miss  Toosey's  Mis- 
sion," "One  of  a  Covey,"  etc.     Illustrated,  cloth,  pr'ce  75  cents. 

We  and  the  World.  A  Story  for  Boys.  By  Juliana  Ho- 
ratia Ewing.     Illustrated,  cloth,  price  75  cents. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price  by  the 
publisher,  A.  !L.  PURT,  97  Beade  Street,  New  York. 


THE  "LITTLE  WOMEN"  SERIES. 

Uniform  Cloth  Binding* 

Profusely  Illustrated. 

A  series  of  most  delightful  stones  for  young  girls. 
Selected  from  the  best-known  writers  for  children. 
These  stories  are  narrated  in  a  simple  and  lively 
fashion  and  cannot  but  prove  irresistible  with  the 
little  ones,  wdiile  throughout  the  volumes  there  is  a 
comprehension  of  and  sympathy  with  child  thought 
and  feeling  that  is  almost  as  rare  out  of  books  as  in. 
These  stories  are  sunny,  interesting,  and  thoroughly 
winsome  and  wholesome. 


Adventures  of  a  Brownie,  As  Told  to  My  Child.  By  Miss  Mulock. 
Illustrated.     Price  75  cents. 

Alice's  Adventures  in  "Wonderland.  By  Lewts  Carroll.  With  42 
Illustrations  by  John  Tenniel.    Price  75  cents. 

Birdie.  A  Tale  of  Child  Life.  By  H.  L.  ChildePemberton.  Illustrated. 
Price   5  cents. 

Count  Up  the  Sunny  Days.  A  Story  for  Girls.  By  C.A.Jones.  Illus- 
trated.    Price  75  cents. 

Cuckoo  Clock,  The.  By  Mrs.  Molesworth.  With  7  Illustrations  by 
Walter  Crane.    Price  75  cents. 

Down  the  Snow  Stairs;  or,  From  Good  Night  to  Good  Morning.  By 
Alice  Corkran.     With  60  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.    Price  75c. 

Joan's  Adventures.  At  the  North  Pole  and  Elsewhere.  By  Alice 
Corkrax.    Illustrated.    Price  75  cents. 

Little  Lame  Prince,  and  His  Traveling  Cloak.  By  Miss  Mulock.  Illus- 
trated.   Price  75  cents. 

Little  Miss  Joy.     By  Emma  Marshall.    Illustrated.    Price  75  cents. 

Little  Miss  Peggy .  Only  a  Nursery  Story.  By  Mrs.  Molesworth.  With 
13  Illustrations  by  Walter  Crane.    Price  75  cents. 

Little  Princess  of  Tower  Hill.  By  L.  T.  Meade.  Illustrated.  Price 
75  cents. 

Little  Sunshine's  Holiday.  A  Picture  from  Life.  By  Miss  Mulock. 
Illustrated.    Price  75  cents. 

Little  Lucy's  "Wonderful  Glohe.  By  Charlotte  M.  Yonge.  Illus- 
trated.   Price  75  cents. 

Little  Rosebud;  or,  Things  Will  Take  a  Turn.  By  Beatrice  Harraden. 
Illustrated.    Price  75  cents. 

One  of  a  Covey.  By  the  author  of  "  Honor  Bright."  With  19  Illustra- 
tions by  H.  J.  A.  Miles.    Price  75  cents. 

Rosy.  By  Mrs.  Molesworth.  With  8  Illustrations  by  Walter  Crane. 
Price  75  cents. 

Sweet  Content.  By  Mrs.  Molesworth.  With  20  Illustrations  by  W. 
Rainey.    Price  75  cents. 

Sue  and  I.     By  Mrs.  Robert  O'Reilly.    Illustrated.    Price  75  cents. 

Tapestry  Room,  The.    By  Mrs.  Molesworth.    Illustrated.    Price  75  cts. 

Through  the  Looking"-Glass,  and  What  Alice  Found  There.  By  Lewis 
Carroll.  With  50  Illustrations  by  John  Tenniel.    Price  75- cents. 

For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent  postpaid  on  receipt  of  price 
by  the  publisher,  A..  L,  BURT,  97  Reade  Street,  New  York, 


THE  ALGER  SERIES  for  BOYS 

Uniform   -with   This   Volume. 

This  series  affords  wholesome  reading  for  boys  and  girls,  and  all  the 
volumes  are  extremely  interesting.— Cincinnati  Commercial-Gazette. 

JOE'S  LUCK  ;  or,  A  Brave  Boy's  Adventurer,  in  California.  By 
Horatio  Alger,  Jr.  * 

JULIAN  MORTIMER  ;  or,  A  Brave  Boy's  Struggles  for  Home 
and  Fortune.    By  Harry  Castlemon. 

ADRIFT  IN  THE  WILDS;  or,  The  Adventures  of  TwoSbip. 
wrecked  Boys.    Bv  Edward  S.  Ellis. 

PRANK  FOWLER,  THE  CASH  BOY.    By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr. 

eU  T  HARRIS,  THE  RUNAWAY.    By  Harry  Castlemon. 

THE  SLATE-PICKER  ;   A  Story  of  a  Boy's  Life  in  the  Coatf 

Mines.     Bv  Harry  Prentice. 
TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER.    By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr. 

TOM,  THE  READY  ;  or,  Up  from  the  Lowest.  By  Randolph  Hill. 

THE  CASTAWAYS  ;  or,  On  the  Florida  Reefs.    By  James  Otis. 

CAPTAIN  KIDD'S  GOLD.    The  True  Story  of  an  Adventurous 

Sailor  Boy.    By  James  Franklin  Fitts. 
TOM  THATCHER'S  FORTUNE.    By  Horatio  Alger,  Jr. 

LOST  IN  THE  CANON.  The  Story  of  Sam  Willett's  Adventure*. 

on  the  Great  Colorado  of  the  West.    By  Alfred  R.  Calhoun. 
A  YOUNG  HERO  ;  or,  Fighting  to  Win.    By  Edward  S.  Ellis. 

THE  ERRAND  BOY ;   or,  How  Phil  Brent  Won  Success.     By 

Horatio  alger,  Jr. 
THE  ISLAND  TREASURE  ;  or,  Harry  Darrel's  Fortune.    By 

Frank  H.  Converse. 
A  RUNAWAY  BRIG ;  or,  An  Accidental  Cruise.    By  James  Otis. 

A  JAUNT  THROUGH  JAVA.    The  Story  of  a  Journey  to  the 

Sacred  Mountain  by  Two  American  Boys.    By  E.  S.  Ellis. 
CAPTURED  BY  APES  ;  or,  How  Philip  Garland  Became  King 

of  Apeland.     Bv  Harry  Prentice. 
TOM  THE  BOOT-BLACK ;  or,  The  Road  to  Success.    By  Horatio 

Alger.  Jr. 
ROY  GILBERT'S  SEARCH.     A  Tale  of  the  Great  Lakes.    By 

William  P.  Chipman. 
THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.    A  Boy's  Adventures  in  Nicara- 

uga.     Bv  James  Otis. 
BUDD  BOYD'S  TRIUMPH ;  or,  The  Boy  Firm  of  Fox  Island. 

By  William  P.  Chipman. 
TONY,  THE  HERO ;   or,  A  Brave  Boy's   Adventures  with  a 

Tramp.    Bv  Horatio  Alger  Jr. 
CAPTURED  BY  ZULUS,    A  Story  of  Trapping  in  Africa.    By 

Harry  Prentice. 
THE  TRAIN  BOY.     Bv  Koratio  Alger.  Jr. 
DAN  THE  NEWSBOY.     Bv  Horatio  Alger.  Jr. 
SEARCH   FOR  THE  SILVER  CITY.     A  Story  of  Adventure 

in  Yucatan.    By  James  Otis. 
?HE  BOY  CRUISERS  ;  or,  Paddling  in  Floride.    By  St.  George 

Rath  borne. 


The  above  stories  are  printed  on  ^xtra  paper,  and  bound  in 
Handsome  Cloth  Binding,  in  all  respects  uniform  with  this 
volume^  at  $1.00  per  copy. 

For  sale  by  all  Booksellers,  or  will  be  sen*  noxt-paid  on,  receipt  of  price,  by  tfa 
publisher,  J..  X.  BURT,  66  Reade  /St.-  New  Yn*-k.         *-"**• 


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